In chapter 8, we start to
learn how values play important role in arguments. According to the textbook, a
value is referred to as “a conception of the desirable that influences the
selection from available modes, means and ends of action” (Pg. 121). Values are
used in the development of all argumentation even though some argumentation is
not obviously based on values. One of my misunderstandings about the universal
of values was corrected after I learned that all three kinds of claim have
values involved. Even factual claim has statements about laboratory
observations implies the values of knowledge and rationality. The chapter
continues to talk about characteristics of values, how values appear in
systems, and several principles for the use of values. We should also remember
that these practices are affected by a realization that the value systems
differ from sphere to sphere.
Values in argumentation could
be characterized in stated/implied, terminal/instrumental, positive/negative,
and abstract/concrete. Here I want to explore the first two categories. The
first category distinguishes direct value concepts such as freedom and wealth
from implied concepts that shown in the understanding of stated values. I
borrow the phone banking experience I had from this class’s mini-internship to
have a better understanding of this concept. During the phone banking, I
volunteered to call people from the union, and recommend them to vote for Tim
Walz on Nov 6th. An example of a stated value is “Tim Walz is the best candidates
for working people.” In order to gain adherence to this claim, I provided facts
with implied values, such as “Walz supports to increase state’s minimum wage to
$15 an hour” and “he wants to fight wage theft and protect working people from
unscrupulous employers.” I think the process of phone
banking also relates to the second category of terminal and instrumental
values. The former one emphasizes the ends that a person admires, and the
latter one is the means to attain the ends (Pg. 123). In this case, the
terminal value means the goal to vote for a certain person, and the
instrumental value that helps to achieve this goal is shown in this person’s
political propositions. I think it is important to remember that people
frequently make a terminal out of an instrumental value. I find this relates to
one of my calls during the phone banking when one guy asks me whether Tim Walz
is a Democrat. He immediately agreed to vote for him after I said yes. In this
case, this guy’s own instrumental value of supporting Democratic party becomes
his terminal value in politics. In my opinion, there is no simple right or
wrong answer for whether people consider their instrumental values (means) as
their terminal value (end). It is helpful for the arguer to recognize and adapt
to the decision maker’s specific value in argumentation, just like a person
would tend to vote for somebody who has a similar political values.
Rieke, R.
D., Sillars, M. O., & Peterson, T. R. (2013). Argumentation and
critical decision making. Boston: Pearson.
I agree with the sentence which has been stated in the discussion that “ this would be mainly used in parents when they are educating their children values”. I strongly agree with this sentence. To let children to understand what values is important in our life. Also, values play a crucial role in the argumentation. As mentioned in the paper, the reading listed many application of that. We can get lots of useful examples from the reading. “Values in Scientific Argument” has described many application on science. It stated very clearly to the readers.
ReplyDeleteWhat is more, I agree with this idea that “it is important when discussing major issues in society”. As mentioned in the reading, “Relate Your Values to Decision Makers”. “The fact that limited options are available to you in a value dispute makes it clear that you will be most successful by arguing within decision makers’ value systems.” , which explicitly let us to know how the important the value is and what it can make the decisions makers do. It is very important to us and for our society.
To be concluded, I appreciate some points of the above. That is what I want to express from what I have read in the reading.