ABSTRACT

One of the forms of argumentation is critique. It focuses on an argument that has been advanced, one need to analyze that argument carefully so as to understand how it is supposed to work, and then identify the weaknesses in it. The best way to understand someone else's argument is to prepare a logical diagram of it. In describing the process of constructing a logical diagram of the argument to be critiqued, one emphasizes the importance of the principle of charity and of giving a sympathetic rendering of what you are going to critique. After capturing the basic structure, review each argument in the diagram we have constructed. If the arguments are not themselves valid, check whether they are enthymemes that can be made valid by supplying additional premises or a conclusion. The chapter argues both that the death penalty should be the punishment for murder, and that it should be imposed within 6 months of conviction.