Reasoning CUs

Language used to reason can be a source of confusion and misunderstanding because of semantic ambiguity.

One could argue that semantic ambiguity is always an issue when using language. However, it seems there are uses of language where it is not a big issue, and can even lead to further exploration that the speaker or writer didn’t have in mind. For example, in the arts, differences in interpretation of words can allow people to make meaning for themselves and depending on the context will not have significant consequences. When presenting a reasoned argument, however, it is important that others can follow the logic. Below are two lines are taken from an article in the Straits Times about white lions where differences in jargon usage have the potential to spark debate.

“Their unique colouring is due to a gene variant also found in white tigers.’This species is very rare and is in danger of extinction,’ she said.”

The words “gene variant” in the first line suggests white lions are a variation of lions (a species) and thus is not a species itself. However, the second line refers to white lions as a “species” and uses the term “extinction” which is primarily used to refer to the danger of termination of a species. Although most readers skimming the article will not spot the potential contradiction, there may be readers who will find the ambiguous semantics confusing, weakening the argument presented throughout the article.

A conclusion’s robustness is dependent on the truth of the premises and the validity of the deductive logic. 

Every deductive argument has the intent of justifying the conclusion through its premises. Therefore, if doubt is cast on the truth of the premises, the conclusion weakens as well. However, the truth of the premises does not affect the validity of the logic; an argument can have false premises and valid deductive logic. The validity of the logic is concerned with how the conclusion can be deduced from the premises presented, regardless of their truth. Of course, the truth of the premises is not as clear cut as the notions of true or false, but is that ever really necessary? It is also important to note that flaws in the premises or the logic do not mean the conclusion is false as the conclusion could be arrived at in an argument without false premises and invalid logic. The following is an example of a robust conclusion based on a sound argument:

Darker peppered moths camouflage well amongst trees. Soot is dark therefore soot covered peppered moths camouflage well amongst trees.

The structure of logical syllogisms can be used to identify unsupported deductions caused by hidden assumptions. 

The following is an example of an argument with hidden assumptions: cloning is wrong because it is unnatural.

The missing piece in making the logic valid is the premise that unnatural procedures are wrong- this premise is not necessarily true.

There are three major forms of syllogisms, conditional syllogisms (if A is true then B is true), disjunctive syllogisms  (if A is true then B is false) and categorical syllogisms (if A is a member of C then B is also a member of C). In a previous post, I mentioned the clarity the structure of syllogisms provides. However, I also pointed out that not many will present all of their arguments in the form of a logical syllogism. I have thought about why that is, and I have come up with two plausible explanations. Firstly, using the framework of logical syllogisms requires thought, and sometimes our arguments aren’t important enough for us to feel the need to put in the time and thought. Issues arise when we are too lazy to put thought into the arguments we personally deem significant. Secondly, sometimes when we are so emotionally attached to a certain belief but don’t have a sound argument, the last resort can be attempting to confuse the audience. Along with the clarity of the structure comes the ease of identifying flaws in the deductive logic, and as authors, if the hope is that the flaws aren’t discovered, the structure might as well be thrown out the window!

“Peru zoo unveils Mexico-born white lion cubs, species rare and in danger of extinction.” The Straits Times, 27 Jul. 2018, https://www.straitstimes.com/world/americas/peru-zoo-unveils-mexico-born-white-lion-cubs-species-rare-and-in-danger-of-extinction.