Friday, October 1, 2010

Repairing Arguments

People who smoke cigarettes have yellow teeth. Arc has yellow teeth, so he is a smoker.

It is true that people who smoke cigarettes most likely get yellow teeth and stains due to the tar build up. So the argument partially makes sense in this case, but it still weak because it's generalizing that every person who conveniently has yellow teeth is bound to be a smoker. There is not enough evidence to prove that Arc actually smokes cigarettes just because he has yellow stains on his teeth. The fact that his teeth are yellow could be the cause of other sources, such as not brushing his teeth thoroughly,
drinking tea or coffee, and/or gradual plaque build-up. This argument cannot be repaired because I can't add what I may think is causing his yellow teeth. It would just be making something up or guessing in order to make this a strong or valid argument.





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