Attaining Moral Responsibility is Important

Instructions: 1. Watch the “Argument Mapping” video available on D2L. 2. Pick any reading that is bolded on the syllabus. 3. Identify, in the reading, the central argument the author is putting forward. 4. In your own words, condense the argument down into the simplest and most consistent terms (see “Argument Mapping video”). a. Make sure to identify 1) the conclusion, 2) all the premises, 3) all reasons that the author gave for accepting the premises. 5. Using the computer program of your choice (Word, Docs, MSPaint, PowerPoint, etc.) diagram out the argument using the simple wording you came up with. a. Each premise should be listed in a separate box and feature an arrow pointing towards the conclusion. b. The conclusion should be written in its own box with arrows coming in from all of the premises. c. Beneath each premise box, make a bullet list of the reasons the author(s) gave for accepting that premise. 6. Once you have finished ‘mapping the argument’, draw or insert a large ‘X’ beneath the premise that you think is easiest or most reasonable to deny. a. You don’t have to actually deny the argument or the premise. If you believe the argument really works, just play ‘devil’s advocate’, think about which premise is the weakest, and go with that. 7. Beneath the X, list at least one reason for why someone would or should deny that premise. a. Think of the best reason that you can, i.e., the one that would convince the most people to deny that premise. 8. Save or screenshot the completed map and turn it in to the drop box on D2L by the due date indicated on the syllabus. 9. Feel free to email me if you have any questions! a. If you are really struggling, you are probably overthinking it!