The Language of Argument

2 8 7

sl i p p e r y sl o p e s

5. A human egg one minute after fertilization is not very different from
   what it is one minute later, or one minute after that, and so on. Thus,
   there is really no difference between just-fertilized eggs and adult
   humans.


6. Since no moment in the continuum of development between an egg and a
   baby is especially significant, it is not fair to grant a right to life to a baby
   unless one grants the same right to every fertilized egg.


7. If we let doctors kill dying patients who are in great pain, then they will
   kill other patients who are in less pain and patients who are only slightly
   disabled. Eventually, they will kill anyone who is not wanted by society.

Explain the reasons, if any, for drawing a definite line in each of the

following cases. Then further explain how this line can be drawn, if at all, in

a reasonable way.

1. Minimum (or maximum?) age to drive a car


2. Minimum age to vote


3. Minimum age to enter (or be drafted into) the military


4. Minimum age to drink alcoholic beverages


5. Minimum age for election to the presidency


6. Maximum age before retirement becomes mandatory

exercise V

Determine whether each of the following arguments provides adequate

support, or any support, for its conclusion. Explain why.

1. I shouldn’t get a speeding ticket for going fifty-six miles per hour,
   because my driving did not all of a sudden get more dangerous when I
   passed the speed limit of fifty-five.


2. No student should ever be allowed to ask a question during a lecture,
   because once one student asks a question, then another one wants to
   ask a question, and pretty soon the teacher doesn’t have any time left
   to lecture.


3. Pornography shouldn’t be illegal, because you can’t draw a line between
   pornography and erotic art.


4. Marijuana should be legal, because it is no more dangerous than alcohol
   or nicotine.

exercise VI

(continued)

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