Chapter 7

• Distilling Arguments
  1. Find the conclusion.
     For example, what is the conclusion in the following argument?
     
     Well, let's say I like to buy shoes. I think it's important to have a full set of shoes to complete my wardrobe. Shoes are not really a fashion accessory as much as they are a fashion necessity. But when I buy shoes, I plan ahead. I pick out the sale ads in the newspaper and I listen attentively for shoe sales advertised on the radio. I am not one of those cattle driven by spur-of-the-moment in-store signs. I think carefully about the choices I make. So, I must have free will. If I don't have the freedom to choose, then that thinking doesn't make any sense at all. And saying that I don't have free will really hurts, since it makes me out to be some kind of shoe-shopping animal.
     
     If you noticed that the shoes are evidence to support the contention So, I must have free will, you're right!
     
     
  2. Find the statements the directly support the conclusion.
     In the above example, what provides direct support for the main conclusion?
     
     1) I think carefully about the choices I make.
     2) If I do not have the freedom to choose, then thinking does not make sense.
     3) So, I must have free will.
     
     Note that the example of the shoes is simply intended to support statement 1.
     
     
  3. Eliminate irrelevant statements.
     In this argument, the statement about fashion necessity is irrelevant. The next-to-last statement about the insult of not having free will is not supported and does not support anything else in this argument.
     
     
  4. Supply implicit statements.
     Finally, this argument includes some implied statements.
     
     1) I think carefully about the choices I make.
     2) If I do not have the freedom to choose, then thinking does not make sense.
     3) So, I must have free will.
     
     The argument might be fleshed out as follows:
     
     2) If I do not have the freedom to choose, then thinking does not make sense.
     A) But thinking does make sense.
     B) Therefore, I do have the freedom to choose.
     C) The freedom to choose implies that thinking is evidence of free will.
     D) Therefore, thinking carefully about choices is evidence of free will.
     1) I think carefully about the choices I make.
     3) So, I must have free will.