Discussion Question #1 (Ch3)

1). Concerning part "C" in chapter 3 of the Epstein text, The Tests for an Argument to Be Good - there are three tests an argument must pass in order for the argument to be good. Please come up with an argument just like the examples, and discuss it using the three tests on Page 42.

My example: Jenny's toenails were painted pink last week. This week Jenny's toenails are purple. So Jenny went to a salon and got a pedicure since last week.

The first test one should use is to figure out if the premises are plausible. In this example, the premises are plausible because we have good reason to believe Jenny's toenails were painted pink and now they are purple. It is something that is easily observed and we don't have much reason to not believe it. The second test one should use is to figure out if the premises are more plausible than the conclusion. In this example, the premises could be more plausible than the conclusion. For example, instead of going to a salon and getting a pedicure, Jenny could have painted her toes herself, her older sister could have painted them, or she used a new nail polish that changes colors after a couple days. Because of these alternatives, this example fails this test. The third test one should use is weather the argument is valid or strong. Since it is likely this argument's premises are true and conclusion is false, it is neither valid nor good. This is an invalid and bad argument.