Statement and Argument
Category : 9th Class
STATEMENT AND ARGUMENT
Learning Objectives
Introduction
As you learned from studying the uses of language, sentences can be used to express a variety of things. We will now center our attention on one use of language, the informative, and that which is expressed by it, statements, in everyday English, an argument is a dispute or debate, in logic, the term has a more technical meaning. An argument is a set of at least two statements, one of which is the conclusion of the argument, and the rest of which are premises offered in support of the conclusion.
Statement
A statement is defined as that which is expressible by a sentence and is either true or false. A statement is something that makes a claim: typically expressed with a declarative sentence (not a question, exclamation, imperative etc.). Statements are logical entities; sentences are grammatical entities.
Types of Statements
Two kinds of statements.
(i) Simple statement
(ii) Compound statement
Simple Statement
The statements that have no parts are called simple statements.
Example:
The rabbit ran down the left trail.
The rabbit ran down the right trail.
Compound Statement
Combination of two or more simple statements is a compound statement,
Compound Statement: The weather is nice and breezy.
Compound Statement: It is neither necessary nor desirable,
Argument
Argument is an exchange of diverging or opposite views.
An argument must consist of at least two statements. One, and only one statement will be the conclusion. The rest of the statements will be the premises of the argument. The expression of an argument will often contain indicator words that help to identify the premises and conclusion.
In 'Reasoning' an 'Argument' means a set of two or more propositions related to each other
In such a way that all but one of them (the premises) are supposed to provide support for the remaining one (conclusion).
Types of Arguments
There are two types of arguments.
(i) Deductive
(ii) Inductive
Deductive
Premises are taken to provide complete, watertight support for the conclusive (may or may not be successful).
Example:
Inductive
Premises are taken to provide probable support for the conclusive, but not watertight support (may or may not be successful).
Example:
Commonly Asked Questions
Directions: Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments a ‘strong’ argument is and which a ‘weak’ argument is.
Given answer
Arguments: I. Yes. We have to earn foreign exchange to pay for our imports.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and (I are strong
Answer (a)
Clearly, India can export only the surplus and that which can be saved after fulfilling its own needs, to pay for its imports. Encouragement to export cannot lead to shortages as it shall provide the resources for imports. So. Only argument I holds.
Arguments: I. Yes. Many such drugs require different doses and duration for Indian population and hence it is necessary
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer (a)
Explanation: Clearly, health of the citizens is an issue of major concern for the
Government. So, a product like drugs, must be first studied and tested in the Indian context before giving licence for its sale. So, only argument I holds strong.
Statement: Should India make efforts to harness solar energy to fulfil its energy requirements?
Arguments: I. Yes, Most of the energy sources used at present is exhaustible.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer (a)
Explanation: Clearly, harnessing solar energy will be helpful as it is an inexhaustible resource unlike other resources. So, argument S holds. But argument Ii is vague as solar energy is the cheapest form of energy.
Arguments: I. No. This will create a political atmosphere in the campus.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer: (e)
Explanation: The Students union formation shall be a step towards giving to students the basic education in the field of politics. However, it shall create the same political atmosphere in the campus. Thus, both the arguments hold strong.
Statement: Should India give away Kashmir to Pakistan?
Arguments: I. No, Kashmir is a beautiful state. It earns a lot of foreign exchange for India.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer (a)
Explanation: Clearly, India cannot part with a state which is a major foreign exchange earner for her. So, argument I holds strong. Further, giving away a piece of land unconditionally and unreasonably is no solution to settle disputes. So, argument II is vague.
Statement: Should cottage industries be encouraged in rural areas?
Arguments: I. Yes. Rural people are creative.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Explanation: Clearly, cottage industries need to be promoted to create more job opportunities for rural people in the villages themselves. The reason that rural people are creative is vague. So, only argument II olds.
Statement: Should young entrepreneurs be encouraged?
Arguments: I. Yes. They will help in industrial development of the country.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer (e)
Explanation: Clearly, encouraging the young entrepreneurs will open up the field for the establishment of new industries. Thus, it shall help in industrial development and not only employ the entrepreneurs but create more job opportunities for others as well. So, both the arguments hold strong.
Statement: Should all the annual examinations up to Std. V be abolished?
Arguments: I. Yes, The young students should not be burdened with such examinations which hampers their natural growth.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer (e)
Explanation: Clearly, neither the students can be burdened with studies at such a tender age nor can they be left free to take studies casually, as this shall weaken their basic foundation. So, both the arguments follow.
Statement: Should Indian scientists working abroad be called back to India,
Arguments: I. Yes. They must serve the motherland first and forget about discoveries, honors, facilities and all.
(a) Only argument 8 is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Clearly, every person must be free to work wherever he wants and no compulsion should be made to confine one to one's own country. So, argument I is vague. However, talented scientists can be of great benefit to the nation and some alternatives as special incentives or better prospects may be made available to them to retain them within their motherland. So, argument II also does not hold.
Statement: Should we scrap the system of formal education beyond graduation?
Arguments: I. Yes. It will mean taking employment at an early date.
(a) Only argument I is strong
(b) Only argument II is strong
(c) Either I or II is strong
(d) Neither I nor II is strong
(e) Both I and II are strong
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Clearly, argument I is vague because at present too, many fields are open to all after graduation. However, eliminating the post-graduate courses would abolish higher and specialized studies which lead to understanding things better and deeply. So, argument II is valid.
You need to login to perform this action.
You will be redirected in
3 sec