Critical Thinking Assignment 3

Choose one of the following conclusions and create an argument to support it. In creating the argument, adhere to the following:

• Provide at least 4 but no more than 6 premises (basic premises and intermediate conclusions) to support the conclusion.
• Make sure that you put your argument into structure diagram form.
• Be clear, get to the point, avoid fallacious reasoning.

Conclusions (choose whether you want to argue for or against one of the positions). That is, for example, choose to argue that human cloning is morally justified or argue that it is not, or argue that it is likely that there is intelligent life on other planets or argue that it is not likely, etc.

• Human cloning is morally unjustified (or justified).
• The human soul is immortal (not immortal).
• It is unlikely (likely) that there is intelligent life on other planets.
• The U.S. space program provides useful social benefits (or doesn’t do so).
• The current tax system is unfair (or fair).
• HMOs are not so good as PPOs for health insurance (or the reverse).
• Buying a used car is better than buying a new one (or the reverse).
• Humanities education is essential (not essential) to an adequate overall education.

Your paper should be 1 page in length, including the structure diagram. You may list and number the propositions in your argument, and then create the diagram using numbered propositions or, if you wish, you can create the diagram using the premises and conclusion written into the diagram. See below for an example:

Example (adapted from Descartes’ argument for the distinction between mind and body in Meditations, VI):

1. MC: The soul and body are separate and distinct substances.
2. BP: I can conceive of a mind existing apart from a body.
3. BP: I can conceive of a body existing apart from a mind.
4. IC: Minds and bodies are conceivably separate and distinct from each other.
5. BP: Any two things that are separable in thought are separate in reality.

Diagram Option A

Diagram Option B

BP2 BP3

IC4 + BP5

MC 1

BP2: I can conceive of a mind existing apart from a body

BP3: I can conceive of a body existing apart from a mind.

.

				BP5: Any two things that are separable in thought are separate in reality.
IC4: Minds and bodies are conceivably separate and distinct from each other.

	MC1: The soul and body are separate and distinct substances.