ARQ chapter 4, What Words or Phrases are Ambiguous?:
- The book defines ambiguous as a meaning of a term or phrase that is unclear in the context of the argument. You have to understand what is being said so you don’t make an assumption.
- Dictionary definitions of words used in an argument are not helpful because sometimes they don’t contain the context in which you may want to use them. The definition may pertain to something else and not how you want to use it.
- Ask yourself “What context do I want to use this word used for?”, “Why would it be important in this context?”
ARQ chapter 5, What Are the Value and Descriptive Assumptions? :
- To identify value assumptions, we must go beyond a simple listing of values. Other people share many of your values. Most values will be on other peoples’ lists. By value assumption, we mean a taken-for-granted belief about the relative desirability of certain competing values. Typically favor one view over another.
- Someone may not have the same view as you do. Most cases they have a different view point of that specific value. Someone likes music because of the feeling it presents to that person while someone else likes music because its a class at school
- Few experts make value priorities explicit because it could cause controversy with outside sources. People should not make value priorities explicit because it would make a controversy with many people if someone disagreed with them. One reason why someone should make value priorities explicit would be for the reason to change a law or change power within the government.
- Empathy-Selflessness: Should I help this person out?
– Daniel Moreno