Refutation Argument

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Refutation Argument

• Dr. Alan Haffa

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Main Components of Argument

• Thesis
• Background
• Counter Argument (Summarize the opposition)
• Responses (refutation)
• Independent support for Your Thesis (support that
  is not related to your opponents argument)
• Conclusion

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Refutation

• Emphasis is upon responding to a contrary
  argument
• Present the main points of the opposing view
• Refute them one by one
• Acknowledge the legitimacy of valid points made
  by opposition, but try to defuse or minimize
  their significance with respect to thesis

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How to Refute?

• Logical Inconsistency or Circular Reasoning?
• Examine the Premise of a logical argumentis it
  something your audience would accept without
  question?
• Examine the logical stepsare there any
  unsubstantiated leaps?
• Question the authorityshow how it is biased or
  out of date
• Question the scope of the argumentshow how it is
  limited and leaves out relevant facts or points
  of view
• Point out assumptions
• Question the statistics or factsshow there is a
  disagreement among experts by presenting opposing
  facts

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Creating Doubt

• Even if you cannot refute an argument logically
  or undermine the facts by presenting opposing
  facts or statistics, you can still weaken the
  opposing argument
• Raise questions that seem sensible
• Attack credibility of opposing campdangerous
  game to play but can be effective do they have
  something to gain politically or economically?
• Use humor and/or irony
• Accuse opposition of reductionism
• Question the practicality of opposition theory
  it is unaffordable or contrary to human nature
• Question the patriotism of opposition (Those who
  challenge the War, eg.) beware ad hominem
• Introduce a counter paradigm for understanding
  the issue if the opposition emphasizes
  Individual Libertythen emphasize Social
  Responsibility and Security or, vice versa.

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Assignment for Second Essay

• Select an Essay in Text relating to Separation of
  Church and State OR an Essay posted by Haffa on
  Web
• You should DISAGREE with thesis of essay
• Read it critically identify main points of
  support
• Refutation will summarize argument of essay
• Point by point you address the essays claims and
  offer an opposing view
• Two page rough draft due next week