Assignment Instructions/ Description
In one or two typed pages, give a criticism of the argument:
Every event has a cause (events don’t just occur without reason even if we don’t know the reason for them). So there’s a cause of all events. A single cause of every event would have to be supernaturally powerful. So there is a supernatural and powerful being (the cause of all events).
The argument is an extended argument—which means that there are at least two arguments, nested so that the conclusion of one is a premise of the other. (1) Put the two arguments in standard form. Explain any parts of the extended argument that are unclear.
Next, give a criticism of the extended argument. Remember that there are only two kinds of criticisms: false premises or bad form (the relationship between premises and conclusion). It is not a criticism of an argument to say that the conclusion is false. That’s just to ignore the argument altogether. (2) Clearly and briefly state your criticism and say whether it is a premise criticism or a form criticism. One thing to watch out for in an extended argument: some premises are also conclusions, so don’t criticize those premises without criticizing the argument for them.
Finally, (3) present your justification for the simple statement of your criticism. You should stick to this task; do not criticize more than one premise. Don’t criticize the form and a premise. Do not give reasons why the conclusion of the argument you are criticizing is false. Just say why the premise you picked is false, or why the form is invalid. Your reasons might include counterexamples to the claim you are criticizing; it might include cases, analogies or principled argument. You can give more than one reason why you think so. In fact, the more justification you provide, the better your paper will be. However, it is probably not true that the more premises you criticize, the better your paper will be; apply your efforts to a single criticism. Also, your criticism will be improved by anticipating your imaginary opponent’s potential response to your criticism and by responding to it.
It’s important in this section that you do what you said you would do in the clear statement of your criticism. For example, if your clear statement of criticism was that ‘premise two is false’ then you would have to give justification for that. Don’t then give, for example, reason that premise one is false.
Your criticism should originate with you. You should not explain a criticism that you looked up, or got from someone else. You don't need to do any research; you only need to think and write. If you do get a criticism from another source (which you shouldn't) you MUST cite that source.
You need not write an introduction or conclusion. You can simply organize your paper into three sections (not of equal size) corresponding to the three requirements above. Start with the argument in standard form (explaining if necessary), then give the clear and brief statement of the criticism, and finish with the justification of your criticism. You will be graded on your adherence to instructions, depth of understanding, reasoning, organization, accuracy, clarity, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
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