Exercise4.2.1

PHI332 : The Class : Argument Evaluation : Analogy : Exercise4.2.1

Exercise4.2.1: Using analogs to object to a target argument

In the first paragraph of "A Defense of Abortion" (p. 332), Thomson uses an argument from analogy to evaluate a pro-life argument. Here is the target argument she is evaluating:

1. The development of a human being from conception through birth into childhood is continuous.
2. To draw a line, to choose a point in this development and say "before this point the thing is not a person, after this point it is a person" is to make an arbitrary choice, a choice for which in the nature of things no good reasons can be given.
Thus 3. The fetus is, or anyway we had better say it is, a person from the moment of conception.

After reading her first paragraph, try to construct, from the fetus argument just given, an analogous argument for acorns--two premises and a conclusion. Make your analog as nearly parallel as possible. Then turn the page to see my answer.

Download Word file.

Check your work.

Once you have completed this excercise you should:

Go on to Exercise4-2-2
or
Go back to Argument from Analogy

E-mail George Rudebusch at George.Rudebusch@nau.edu
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