Sometimes it is necessary to raise objections in an argument to prove that a person’s argument is sometimes irrational. One way to do this is to refute it directly. The other day I was over at a friend’s place and her roommate said that they should get rid of their internet and use the library on campus because it is hard to study at the apartment, the bills will be a lot cheaper, and the library on campus is free with plenty of space to meet for group projects. My friend obviously didn’t take this well and refuted all of her arguments by stating that it will be easier to study at the apartment if they created quite hours, the bills wouldn’t be cheaper for her because she pays for the internet with allowance money from parents, and the library on campus is not always open so they would have nowhere to meet on for projects. My friend argued each point of argument her roommate had in this discussion which ended the dispute.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThe explanation you used to define refuting directly was very clear and easy for someone who hasn’t encountered the topic yet to understand. The example you used was also very relatable because once in a while we do get into conversations that we don’t agree on. Most of us don’t want to be wrong so we figure out ways to find a comeback that can defend our arguments and make them stronger and valid. I think the argument your friend laid out to her roommate was very good and very effective by proving her point. All in all great work! Keep it up :)
Hey MichSim, this post was very easy to relate to. The book did a decent job of describing what refuting an argument is but I didn't feel like the example was very strong or as relative as it could have been. The direct ways of refuting are to show that one of the premises is dubious, show that the argument isn't valid or strong, and show that the conclusion is false. Your example showed these because your friend took the other persons statement and argued each key point with solid refutations. This is a good way to end a dispute which your friend did. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI think I would have done the same. I do not really know how it is like to live with a roommate so I can be wrong. But yeah, your friend made really good points like saying the library is not open for studying all the time or just the convenience of having internet in the apartment. Aside from that, and if I was in that situation, I probably would have added that the internet in the library is very slow. Of course online homework is still do-able in the library but sometimes there is many lag which extends your homework time. Above all, it's just more convenient to have internet, and everyone in the room will share it anyways.
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