False Dilemmas
False dilemmas deal with arguments that use "or" claims. You can't use "or" without showing all the valid possibilities. For example, you argue that your brother smokes too many cigarettes and it's become too expensive. You give him the option that he can either stay away from you or cut back on smoking. Since he is bothering you specifically he can also move out or you could even move out. In this situation, you pose a false dilemma. You present two different alternatives when there is more alternatives that you didn't pose.
Conditionals
We all have used this type of claim in the past. For example, if you study well for the exam, then you'll do well on the exam. It deals with an 'if' statement and ends with a 'then' statement. Conditionals also don't need those two key words to form a conditional statement. With any action there is a reaction that follows it and as long as a sentence a antecedent and consequence, it can be called a conditional claim.
I find that using false dilemmas can be very helpful. It gets your point across the other person and it is obvious that it is important. Like your example, you want your brother around but you do not want him to smoke near you therefore you limit this possibilities and do not give him any other choices or alternatives. It should be clear to him that you are not going to tolerate anything else.
ReplyDeleteYour explanation for conditionals was clear and very easy for me to understand. The two words "if" and "then" shows that there is no guarantee but instead the premise is only true is the person follows through.