In chapter 6, Epstein talks about compound claims, and how they exist in our conversations and arguments. One idea that helped me, or that I found interesting was the reasoning in a chain. This idea helps to validate an argument, however doesn’t always make it good. To reason in a chain Epstein states that you have to state conditionals in order for a chain to work correctly. By showing the steps you are able to prove that your argument is valid.
For example: If you buy a puppy then you will have to spend a lot of money on him. If you spend a lot of money then you can’t go on vacation. If you can’t go on vacation then you won’t get to relax. So if you get a puppy then you can’t relax. By showing the steps it takes from the first statement to the last, it causes a chain of reasoning.
Now for slippery slope, this is a bad argument in which someone states a false condition within the chain. For example: If you buy that shirt then you’ll want to go out. If you go out then you’ll meet a guy. When you meet the guy you’ll fall in love. Then you’ll get married and we can’t go shopping anymore.
These statements are not completely true simply because she bought a shirt, the chain of conditions don’t seem plausible.
Overall I think Epstein’s breakdown helps me to realize to make a statement or argument valid I have to make sure my conditions are correct. Geesh who knew how complicating our conversations could get!! Lol
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