Lesson Four: Ambiguous Terms and Phrases

1
Ambiguous Words or Phrases

• Critical Thinking Lesson 4

2
Introduction

• What does the term ambiguous mean?

3
Introduction

• Ambiguous
• A term or phrase is ambiguous when its meaning is
  unclear in the context of the argument that is
  being examined.
• Examples.

4
Introduction

• The result of ambiguity is
• We need further clarification before we can make
  a decision on the quality of the reason(s) and
  whether we should accept or reject an argument.

5
Introduction

• The English language is very complicated.
• Example Rick Has Trouble With English (clip)
• Words can have multiple meanings in different
  contexts.
• This complexity makes it necessary for us to
  clarify the meaning of some terms/phrases used in
  arguments.
• Until important ambiguous terms/phrases are
  clarified you cannot react to an argument.

6
Introduction

• Examples of ambiguous terms
• Freedom
• Patriotism
• Happiness
• Poor
• Rich
• Obscenity
• We often misunderstand arguments because we
  assume we know the meaning of such terms/phrases.
• Critical Thinkers do not make such assumptions.

7
Locating Key Terms and Phrases

• Look for words or phrases that may have multiple
  meanings within the context.
• Does TV violence adversely affect society?
• Identify important words or phrases the
  author/speaker is using to support his/her
  conclusion (i.ereasons).
• Look for terms/phrases that are too broad.
• The more general a term/phrase is the more likely
  it is to be misunderstood.
• Examples poor, rich, etc.

8
The Critical Question Do I understand its
meaning?

• Do I understand the meaning of a particular term
  or phrase?
• Never assume that you would define the term or
  phrase the same way the author or speaker is.
• Remember
• Some terms have multiple meanings.
• People can mean different things with the same
  term/phrase.

9
The Critical Question Do I understand its
meaning?

• How do you know for sure when you have found an
  ambiguous term or phrase?
• Look for alternative meanings of the term that
  make sense in the context.
• If you find such alternative meanings, you have
  found an ambiguous term or phrase.
• Avoid alternative meanings that are absurd or
  highly unlikely.
• Alternative meanings should be ones the author
  might realistically use in the context of his/her
  argument.

10
Determining Ambiguity

• Page 43.
• The advertisement (OurBrand Sleep Aid).
• What stands out as ambiguous in the ad?

11
Determining Ambiguity

• We absolutely must put limits on tanning.
  Tanning is a substantial health risk with severe
  consequences. Studies have shown that those who
  tan are at a higher risk of skin diseases as a
  result of tanning.
• What is the topic? Is it clear or ambiguous?
• What is the issue? Is it clear or ambiguous?
• What is the conclusion? Is it clear or ambiguous?
• What are the reasons? Is it clear or ambiguous?

12
Context and Ambiguity

• How do we go about trying to understand the
  author/speakers understanding of the term/phrase
  that we have identified as ambiguous?
• CONTEXT!!!
• The writers or speakers background.
• Traditional uses of the term within a particular
  controversy.
• The words and phrases preceding and following the
  possible ambiguity.

13

• The amusement park has given great satisfaction
  to most of its customers. More than half of the
  people surveyed agreed that the park had a wide
  variety of games and rides and that they would
  return to the park soon.
• What is the topic? Is it clear or ambiguous?
• What is the issue? Is it clear or ambiguous?
• What is the conclusion? Is it clear or ambiguous?
• What are the reasons? Is it clear or ambiguous?
• How can we use context to clear up any ambiguity?

14
Context and Ambiguity

• The main lesson here is
• We must always examine the context carefully to
  determine the meaning of key terms/phrases that
  seem ambiguous .
• If the meaning remains ambiguous you have located
  a very important ambiguity that needs to be
  answered before you can react to the argument.

15
Ambiguity, Definitions, and the Dictionary

• The meaning of terms will come in one of three
  forms
• Synonyms.
• Examples.
• Definition by specific criteria.
• Example The term anxiety.
• Synonym Feeling nervous.
• Example Candidate is nervous.
• Def. by Spec. Criteria Technical.

16
Ambiguity, Definitions, and the Dictionary

• Definitions are not always helpful in clearing up
  ambiguities.
• Dictionary definitions can be extremely
  ambiguous.
• They usually do not adequately define the use of
  a term in a particular essay.
• In such cases, we must look to the context of the
  term.
• To make it worse, sometimes the context of the
  term does not help either.
• See example on page 46 in textbook.

17
Ambiguity and Loaded Language

• Certain words or phrases have strong emotional
  meanings.
• Used to pull an audience in.
• Loaded language is usually ambiguous.
• Page 48.
• We must be aware of the use of such emotional
  language.
• Be aware how a term makes y0u feel!

18
Limits

• You cant catch or correct all ambiguity.
• If we have searched and asked the critical
  questions and still have questions, we must set
  aside the argument.

19
Ambiguity in Your Writing/Speaking

• Important in your Persuasive Presentation and
  Final Exam!
• Avoid ambiguity in your reasoning.
• Carefully define terms that may have multiple
  meanings in the context.
• How much clarification that will be needed is
  determined by your audience.
• Make certain your readers/listeners understand
  your meanings.