The space program deserves increased expenditure in the years ahead. Not only does the national defence depend upon it, but the program will more than pay for itself in terms of technological snipoffs. Furthermore, at current funding levels, the program cannot fulfil its anticipated potential”. What is the conclusion of the above argument?
The space program deserves increased spending in the years ahead.
Analyzing Argument Structure and Identifying the Conclusion
Understanding the structure of an argument is crucial for critical thinking and reasoning. An argument typically consists of one or more premises, which are statements providing support or reasons, and a conclusion, which is the statement that the premises are intended to support or prove. In essence, the premises lead to or justify the conclusion.
Deconstructing the Argument on Space Program Expenditure
Let's break down the provided argument about the space program:
The argument states:
"The space program deserves increased expenditure in the years ahead. Not only does the national defence depend upon it, but the program will more than pay for itself in terms of technological snipoffs. Furthermore, at current funding levels, the program cannot fulfil its anticipated potential”
In this argument, several points are made to support a main claim. We need to identify which statement is the main claim being argued for (the conclusion) and which statements are the reasons provided to support it (the premises).
- Statement 1: Not only does the national defence depend upon it, but the program will more than pay for itself in terms of technological snipoffs. (This provides reasons: defence dependence and economic return via technological snipoffs).
- Statement 2: Furthermore, at current funding levels, the program cannot fulfil its anticipated potential. (This provides another reason: insufficient current funding).
- Statement 3: The space program deserves increased expenditure in the years ahead. (This is the main point the author is trying to make, supported by the other statements).
The statements about national defence dependence, technological snipoffs, and the inability to fulfill potential at current funding levels are given as reasons why the space program deserves increased expenditure. Therefore, these are the premises supporting the claim for increased expenditure.
The statement that the space program deserves increased expenditure is the claim that these reasons are meant to support. This is the conclusion of the argument.
Evaluating the Options
Let's examine each option in light of our analysis:
- Option 1: The national defense depends upon the space program.
This is stated as a reason (premise) supporting the need for increased expenditure, not the main conclusion itself.
- Option 2: The space program deserves increased spending in the years ahead.
This statement directly matches the main claim that the entire argument is trying to establish. The preceding sentences provide the justification for this claim. This is the conclusion.
- Option 3: The space program will more than pay for itself in terms of technological snipoffs.
This is presented as another reason (premise) why increased expenditure is warranted, not the final conclusion.
- Option 4: At existing funding levels the space program cannot fulfill its anticipated potential.
This is also given as a reason (premise) supporting the argument for more funding. It explains a negative consequence of current funding, bolstering the call for an increase.
Based on the structure of the argument, the statement advocating for increased expenditure is the claim being supported by all the other points mentioned. Thus, it is the conclusion.
Identifying the Conclusion of the Argument
The conclusion is the statement that the argument aims to prove or support. In this case, the argument provides reasons (premises) why the space program should receive more funding. The statement that encapsulates this main point is that the space program "deserves increased expenditure in the years ahead." This is precisely what Option 2 states.
Therefore, the conclusion of the given argument is that the space program deserves increased spending in the years ahead.
| Component Type | Statement from Argument | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Premise | National defence depends upon the space program. | Reason supporting increased spending. |
| Premise | Program will more than pay for itself in terms of technological snipoffs. | Reason supporting increased spending. |
| Premise | At current funding levels, the program cannot fulfil its anticipated potential. | Reason supporting increased spending. |
| Conclusion | The space program deserves increased expenditure in the years ahead. | The main point being argued for. |
Revision Table: Argument Conclusion Identification
When identifying the conclusion of an argument, ask yourself: What is the main point the author is trying to convince me of? The other statements should act as evidence or reasons for this main point.
- Look for indicator words (though none are explicitly used in this case, common indicators include "therefore", "thus", "hence", "so", "consequently", "it follows that").
- Identify the statements that serve as reasons or evidence (premises).
- The statement that is being supported by these reasons is likely the conclusion.
Additional Information: Premises and Conclusions
In logic and argumentation, premises and conclusions are fundamental building blocks.
- Premise: A statement or proposition used to support or provide evidence for a conclusion. Premises are assumed to be true for the sake of the argument, or they are presented as facts or widely accepted beliefs.
- Conclusion: The statement that is affirmed or denied on the basis of the premises. It is the outcome or result of the argument, derived from the premises.
A strong argument is one where the premises genuinely support the conclusion, making it likely or necessary for the conclusion to be true if the premises are true. Identifying premises and conclusions is a key skill in analyzing and evaluating arguments.
Important Questions from Argument Forms - Teaching
The Fallacy committed in the argument
"All textbooks are books intended for careful study. Some reference books are books intended for careful study. Therefore, some reference books are textbooks." is
All mortals are men.
Socrates is mortal
Therefore Socrates is a man.
Which of the following statements are true of the above argument?
(A) Above arguments is sound.
(B) Above argument is valid.
(C) Above argument is fallacious.
(D) Above argument commits the fallacy of undistributed middle.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:"Environmentalists accuse us of blocking the plan to convert Antartica into a World park. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. Antartica is a huge continent teeming with life. It is home to millions of penguins, seals, seabirds and sea lions. Also great schools of finfish and whales inhabit its coastal waters."
Which fallacy is committed in the above argument?
Given below are two statements:
Statement I : An argument form that allows for a substitution instance having true premises and a false conclusion is an invalid form.
Statement II : Any arguments having true premises and a false conclusion is an invalid argument.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Which of the following statements is/ are true ?
A. The terms 'true' and 'false' apply to arguments.
B. The terms 'true' and 'false' apply to statements.
C. The terms 'valid' and 'invalid' apply to arguments.
D. The terms 'cogent' and 'non-cogent' apply to statements.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
