Formalization, Meaning, and Political Argument

1
Formalization, Meaning, and Political Argument

• Stuart Thorson
• September 06
• PSC 202

2
Political Argument

• Deals with manipulation of symbols and the
  meanings associated with them.
• In particular, political argument generally
  involves the use of power to enforce meanings

3
Example of a Political Argument

• North Korea should not be permitted to pursue a
  peaceful nuclear program. North Korea has lied
  about such programs in the past (they actually
  had direct military applications) and thus North
  Korea cannot be trusted in this regard.

4
Deconstruction of the Argument (i)

• Symbols are words.
• They are linked to form English language
  sentences.
• In a sentential argument, the sentences are
  generally thought to work together to provide
  warrant for a conclusion.

5
Deconstruction of the Argument (ii)

• One way of analyzing the argument is to
  formalize it. That is, we ignore the meaning of
  the words and focus on the structure of the
  argument.
• _IF_ (a gt b _AND_ b gt c) _THEN_ a gt c
• No need to know what a, b, and c mean right?

6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
Formalization

• s1 North Korea has lied about the purpose of its
  nuclear programs in the past.
• s2 North Korea cannot be trusted in this regard.
• s3 North Korea cannot be permitted to develop a
  peaceful nuclear program.
• s1gts2gts3

9
Formalization Questions

• Does the formalization work?
• If not, why not?
• Can it be fixed?
• What about meaning of the symbols?

10
Meaning, Symbols, and Reference

• (Morning Star, Evening Star) --gt Venus
• Same thing?

11
Political Power and Reference

• Red China --gt PRC
• North Korea --gt DPRK
• Evil Empire --gt USSR
• Same things?

12
Context and Argument

• North Korea should not be permitted to pursue a
  peaceful nuclear program. North Korea has lied
  about such programs in the past (they actually
  had direct military applications) and thus North
  Korea cannot be trusted in this regard.
• Why might this argument seem more compelling in
  the US and Japan than in the ROK or PRC?

13
Conclusion

• Formalization is very powerful.
• However, be careful that meaning and context are
  accounted for properly.
• And, always be watchful for inappropriate
  formalizations!