9th Class Mental Ability Statement Analysis Statement and Argument

 

STATEMENT AND ARGUMENT

 

Learning Objectives

 

• Introduction
• Statement
• Types of Statement
• Argument
• Types of Arguments

 

Introduction

 

As you learned from studying the uses of language, sentences can be used to express a variety of things. We will now center our attention on one use of language, the informative, and that which is expressed by it, statements, in everyday English, an argument is a dispute or debate, in logic, the term has a more technical meaning. An argument is a set of at least two statements, one of which is the conclusion of the argument, and the rest of which are premises offered in support of the conclusion.

 

Statement

 

A statement is defined as that which is expressible by a sentence and is either true or false. A statement is something that makes a claim: typically expressed with a declarative sentence (not a question, exclamation, imperative etc.). Statements are logical entities; sentences are grammatical entities.

 

Types of Statements

 

Two kinds of statements.

(i) Simple statement

(ii) Compound statement

 

Simple Statement

 

The statements that have no parts are called simple statements.

 

Example:

 

The rabbit ran down the left trail.

The rabbit ran down the right trail.

 

Compound Statement

 

Combination of two or more simple statements is a compound statement,

1. The weather is nice. It is very breezy.

Compound Statement: The weather is nice and breezy.

2. It is not necessary. It is not desirable.

Compound Statement: It is neither necessary nor desirable,

 

Argument

 

Argument is an exchange of diverging or opposite views.

An argument must consist of at least two statements. One, and only one statement will be the conclusion. The rest of the statements will be the premises of the argument. The expression of an argument will often contain indicator words that help to identify the premises and conclusion.

In 'Reasoning' an 'Argument' means a set of two or more propositions related to each other

In such a way that all but one of them (the premises) are supposed to provide support for the remaining one (conclusion).

 

Types of Arguments

 

There are two types of arguments.

(i)  Deductive

(ii) Inductive

 

Deductive

 

Premises are taken to provide complete, watertight support for the conclusive (may or may not be successful).

 

Example:

1. If I file my taxes I will get a refund.
2. I will file my taxes.
3. I will get a refund.

 

Inductive

 

Premises are taken to provide probable support for the conclusive, but not watertight support (may or may not be successful).

 

Example:

1. South park has always been closed on Wednesday at 10 pm.
2. It is now 10 pm on Wednesday.
3. Therefore, South Park is (probably) closed now.

 

Commonly Asked Questions

 

Directions: Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments a ‘strong’ argument is and which a ‘weak’ argument is.

 

Given answer

 

• (a) If only argument I is strong
• (b) If only argument II is strong
• (c) If either I or II is strong
• (d) If neither I nor II is strong and
• (e) If both I and II are strong

 

• Statement: Should India encourage exports, when most things are insufficient for internal use itself?

 

Arguments:      I. Yes. We have to earn foreign exchange to pay for our imports.

1. No. Even selective encouragement would lead to shortages.

(a) Only argument I is strong       

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong              

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and (I are strong

 

Answer (a)

Clearly, India can export only the surplus and that which can be saved after fulfilling its own needs, to pay for its imports. Encouragement to export cannot lead to shortages as it shall provide the resources for imports. So. Only argument I holds.

 

• Statement: Should all the drugs patented and manufactured in Western countries be first tried out on sample basis before giving license for sale to general public in India?

 

Arguments:      I. Yes. Many such drugs require different doses and duration for Indian population and hence it is necessary

1. No. This is just not feasible and hence cannot be implemented.

(a) Only argument I is strong          

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong              

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Answer (a)

Explanation: Clearly, health of the citizens is an issue of major concern for the

Government. So, a product like drugs, must be first studied and tested in the Indian context before giving licence for its sale. So, only argument I holds strong.

 

Statement: Should India make efforts to harness solar energy to fulfil its energy requirements?

Arguments:      I. Yes, Most of the energy sources used at present is exhaustible.

1. No. Harnessing solar energy requires a lot of capital, which Snide lacks in

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Answer (a)

Explanation: Clearly, harnessing solar energy will be helpful as it is an inexhaustible resource unlike other resources. So, argument S holds. But argument Ii is vague as solar energy is the cheapest form of energy.

 

• Statement: Should there be students union in college, university?

Arguments:      I. No. This will create a political atmosphere in the campus.

1. Yes, it is very necessary students are future political leaders.

(a) Only argument I is strong           

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong               

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Answer: (e)

Explanation: The Students union formation shall be a step towards giving to students the basic education in the field of politics. However, it shall create the same political atmosphere in the campus. Thus, both the arguments hold strong.

 

Statement: Should India give away Kashmir to Pakistan?

Arguments:      I. No, Kashmir is a beautiful state. It earns a lot of foreign exchange for India.

1. Yes. This would help settle conflicts.

(a) Only argument I is strong          

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong               

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Answer (a)

Explanation: Clearly, India cannot part with a state which is a major foreign exchange earner for her. So, argument I holds strong. Further, giving away a piece of land unconditionally and unreasonably is no solution to settle disputes. So, argument II is vague.

 

Statement: Should cottage industries be encouraged in rural areas?

Arguments:      I. Yes. Rural people are creative.

1. Yes. This would help to solve the problem of unemployment to some extent.

(a) Only argument I is strong          

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong              

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Explanation: Clearly, cottage industries need to be promoted to create more job opportunities for rural people in the villages themselves. The reason that rural people are creative is vague. So, only argument II olds.

 

Statement: Should young entrepreneurs be encouraged?

Arguments:      I. Yes. They will help in industrial development of the country.

1. Yes. They will reduce the burden on employment market.

(a) Only argument I is strong          

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong              

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Answer (e)

Explanation: Clearly, encouraging the young entrepreneurs will open up the field for the establishment of new industries. Thus, it shall help in industrial development and not only employ the entrepreneurs but create more job opportunities for others as well. So, both the arguments hold strong.

Statement: Should all the annual examinations up to Std. V be abolished?

Arguments:      I. Yes, The young students should not be burdened with such examinations which hampers their natural growth.

1. No. The students will not study seriously as they will get automatic promotion to the next class and this will affect them in future.

(a) Only argument I is strong          

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong              

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Answer (e)

Explanation: Clearly, neither the students can be burdened with studies at such a tender age nor can they be left free to take studies casually, as this shall weaken their basic foundation. So, both the arguments follow.

 

Statement: Should Indian scientists working abroad be called back to India,

Arguments:      I. Yes. They must serve the motherland first and forget about discoveries, honors, facilities and all.

1. No. We have enough talent; let them stay where they want.

(a) Only argument 8 is strong          

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong              

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Clearly, every person must be free to work wherever he wants and no compulsion should be made to confine one to one's own country. So, argument I is vague. However, talented scientists can be of great benefit to the nation and some alternatives as special incentives or better prospects may be made available to them to retain them within their motherland. So, argument II also does not hold.

 

Statement: Should we scrap the system of formal education beyond graduation?

Arguments:      I. Yes. It will mean taking employment at an early date.

1. No. It will mean lack of depth of knowledge.

(a) Only argument I is strong          

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong               

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

(e) Both I and II are strong

 

 

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Clearly, argument I is vague because at present too, many fields are open to all after graduation. However, eliminating the post-graduate courses would abolish higher and specialized studies which lead to understanding things better and deeply. So, argument II is valid.