Initial Argument Paper

Initial Argument Paper

This assignment is not an essay but an exercise that helps build toward your Final Paper for the course. Your task in this assignment is to construct the best argument you can for a position on a controversial topic. Your argument should be your own creation. You may take inspiration from other arguments, but the formulation of the argument you present should be original to you. To prepare to write this paper, begin by choosing a topic from the PHI103 Final Paper Options list.

Construct an argument for a position on the topic. This is the position that you will defend in your Final Paper. Make your argument as good as possible: in particular, make sure that all of your premises are true and that the truth of the conclusion is demonstrated by your premises. Consider possible objections to your argument, and revise it several times until you have an argument that is as strong as possible. Search in the Ashford University Library for quality academic sources that support some aspect of your argument.

Constructing quality arguments is harder than it sounds; you may find that your first few attempts have problems and that it takes quite a bit of time and effort to revise an argument to a point that the premises adequately support the conclusion. You will be revising this argument for each of the remaining assignments in this course. In your paper, present a main argument in standard form with each premise and the conclusion on a separate line. Provide support for each premise of your argument. Explain the meaning of the premise, and provide supporting evidence for the premise. [One paragraph for each premise] Pay special attention to those premises that could be seen as controversial.

Evidence may include academic research sources, supporting arguments, or other ways of demonstrating the truth of the premise (for more ideas about how to support the truth of premises take a look at the instructor guidance for this week). This section should include at least one scholarly research source. For further information about discovering and including high-quality research take a look at the FindIt@AU Tutorial. Explain how your conclusion follows from your premises. For an example of how to complete this paper, take a look at the Week One Annotated example The Ethics of Elephants in Circuses. Let your instructor know if you have any remaining questions about how to complete this paper.

Paper For Above instruction

The exercise of constructing a rigorous and well-supported argument is fundamental to critical thinking and philosophical inquiry. The core of this assignment involves formulating a clear and defensible stance on a controversial issue, supported by evidence and logical reasoning. This process not only enhances students' understanding of argumentative structures but also encourages careful evaluation of premises and their relationship to conclusions. By engaging in multiple revisions, students develop their skills in identifying and addressing potential objections, refining their arguments to achieve logical coherence and persuasive strength. This assignment sets the foundation for subsequent coursework, emphasizing the importance of originality, support, and critical analysis in constructing an effective philosophical argument.

Choosing a relevant and debatable topic from the PHI103 Final Paper Options list is the first step. Once a topic is selected, students must articulate a specific position, stating a premise or set of premises that logically lead to their conclusion. Each premise must be supported by solid evidence, preferably scholarly sources that substantiate the truth of the premises. This requirement ensures that arguments are grounded in credible research rather than assumptions or unsupported claims.

Support for premises involves explaining their meaning clearly and providing empirical or logical evidence. For controversial premises, extra care is needed to address potential counterarguments or alternative interpretations, thus strengthening the overall argument. The instructor recommends consulting academic databases such as Ashford University Library and utilizing peer-reviewed research to find high-quality sources.

To demonstrate the logical flow, students must explicitly explain how their premises collectively support the conclusion. This clarity not only enhances the persuasiveness of the argument but also clarifies the reasoning process for readers. Including an example, like the ethical considerations of elephants in circuses, can serve as a model for structuring and supporting complex arguments effectively.

Overall, this exercise emphasizes the importance of intellectual rigor, clarity, and revision in the development of philosophical arguments. Constructing and refining a strong argument prepares students for the analytical challenges of the Final Paper and cultivates skills essential for academic success and critical thinking.

References

  • Copi, I. M., Cohen, C., & McMahon, K. (2016). Introduction to Logic (14th ed.). Routledge.
  • Ethics Unwrapped. (n.d.). The Ethical Arguments for Animal Rights. University of Texas at Austin. https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/
  • Hume, D. (1739). A Treatise of Human Nature. Clarendon Press.
  • Norton, M. (2015). Why Animal Rights Are Ethical Rights. The Philosophical Review, 124(4), 541-559.
  • Perkins, S. (2020). Critical Thinking and Logic. OpenStax CNX. https://openstax.org/books/critical-thinking-and-logic
  • Plato. (c. 380 BC). The Republic. Hackett Publishing.
  • Rachels, J. (2009). The Moral Status of Animals. In J. Rachels & S. Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy (7th ed., pp. 57-68). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Regan, T. (2004). The Case for Animal Rights. University of California Press.
  • Singer, P. (1975). Animal Liberation. HarperCollins.
  • Walton, D. (2010). Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach. Cambridge University Press.

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