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Questions on Assumptions

Decent Essays

Student first and last names Course title and number Professor's name Due date Asking the Right Questions: Chapters 6 8 1. Assumptions are statements that are unstated most of the time; they are statements that are potentially deceptive. Assumptions are necessary in that they provide support for the conclusion in an argument. One can identify assumptions in arguments by locating significant ambiguity, particularly in the conclusion of an argument. One may additionally locate assumptions by engaging in role reversal, or in layman's terms, "playing devil's advocate" for an argument. 2. A value assumption is an implicit preference for a particular value over another particular value within a specific context. One of Leopold's value assumptions from his writing is that protecting wolves is ethical. He values the environment a great deal; his value assumption connects the strength of preference for his value to his fundamental argument for environmental ethics, as well as redeems him for his past behavior of hunting wolves. 3. Value conflicts exist as the differing values that stem from different frames of reference, implying that values are relative. A value conflict of modern society comes from the drive to continue the process of becoming modern, which typically includes the sacrifice of nature, while maintaining respect and admiration for nature. 4. Descriptive assumptions are beliefs regarding how the world operates. One may identify assumptions in arguments by

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