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Typically, causal arguments try to show how one event brings about another.
Arguments about causes and consequences have important stakes because they shape our view of reality and influence government policies or individual decisions.
The main task of a causal argument is to establish a causal hypothesis by distinguishing causally related events from mere correlations.
Claims that believe that a particular person, thing, act, or phenomenon should be identified with a certain category
Having a clear idea of the type of claim or proposition you wish to make will help to frame your argument.
Knowing what type of argument you are trying to craft will also help you narrow down research and choose specific, effective support for your essays.
We will discuss two types of claims: Definitional & Causal
These arguments are particularly powerful in that they help determine what something or someone is. Thus, they can result in inclusion or exclusion.
What is it?
How should we define it?
What is it like?
How should it be classified?
How should we interpret it?
How does its usual meaning change in a particular context
By categorizing things, you ask your readers to adopt that category's perspective.
The Rule of Justice suggests that things in the same category should be treated the same way.
Example: Gay Marriage. "All people should be able to marry whomever they wish to. Love is love"
This type of argument is what allows us to draw a connection between current gay rights activists and the Civil Rights movement of the 60s.
Definition arguments occur whenever we disagree about the boundaries of a category.
Example of a Definition Issue: In a divorce preceding, is a frozen embryo a "person" rather than "property"
Criteria part: What criteria must be met for something to be a "person"
Match Part: Does a frozen embryo meet that criteria?