The Language of Argument

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B e g g i n g t h e Q u e s t i o n

they can come up with an independent reason, then they did not beg the

question, and you might learn something from them. However, if they do

not have any independent reason for the premise, then they did indeed

beg the question.

For each of the following arguments, does it involve circular reasoning? Does

it beg the question in any context? If so, in which contexts? Explain your

answers.

1. A student of mine told me that I am her favorite professor, and I know
   that she is telling the truth, because no student would lie to her favorite
   professor.


2. Intoxicating beverages should be banned, because they can make people
   drunk.


3. Capitalism is the only correct economic system, because without it free
   enterprise would be impossible.


4. Free trade is good for the country, because it brings the country all of the
   advantages of an unimpeded flow of goods.


5. Gun-control laws are wrong, because they violate the citizen’s right to
   bear arms.


6. When B applies for a job from A:
   A: How can we know that you are trustworthy?
   B: Mr. Davidson will write me a recommendation.
   A: But why should we trust him?
   B: I assure you that he is honest and accurate.


7. The Bible is the inerrant word of God, because God speaks only the truth,
   and repeatedly in the Bible God tells us that the Bible consists of His
   words.


8. We have to accept change, because without change there is no progress.


9. Premarital sex is wrong, because premarital sex is fornication, and
   fornication is a sin.


10. The drinking age should be lowered to eighteen, because eighteen-year-
    olds are mature enough to drink.


11. We should never give security clearances to homosexuals, because they
    can be blackmailed into revealing classified information. They are subject
    to blackmail, because we will revoke their security clearances if we find
    out they are gay.


12. People with suicidal tendencies are insane, because they want to kill
    themselves.


13. Jeffrey can’t really be insane, because he says he is.

Exercise I

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