Part One
In arguments, there are influences realized which can render a given discussion as valid or invalid. These tend to focus on the idea that people are keen to change other people’s opinions in regards to various issues. The important notification remaining in these discussions is the ability to make someone believe in a given argument. This article entails the discussions on the arguments based on the opinion addressed to an editor by an individual as a concern to critique given to the politicians and visitors in New York City.
The letter addressed to the editor of the New York Post by Rey Louie suggests that the Democratic politicians and visitors should not attack the police department in New York City. According to him, the department is one of the biggest in the country and that the police commissioner should not apologize to the activities initiated by police in ensuring the fight against terrorism is successful. The attack is categorically directed at the Democratic candidate running for the position of mayor in the city. In this, he states that if the Democratic candidate is elected as the mayor, there is the likelihood that there will be incidences of terrorism (NYpost.com, 2013)
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The argument noticed, in this case, is the inductive argument as it is constructed to produce conclusions which are likely to follow from given premises. The argument taking the inductive approach is conceptualized as a claim from scientific responsibilities ( John, 2015). In the application of questions in regard to acceptable, relevant and sufficient elements, there are questions emerging. With this criterion, the argument is categorized as either acceptable or unacceptable not based on the falsehood or truth. Again in terms of relevance, there is a classification on whether the argument is relevant or irrelevant. Finally, the point on sufficiency, the point is taken to be either sufficient enough to ensure validation and belief. From these questions, it can be concluded that the argument merits the ARS criteria of analysis based on the sufficiency in articulation. Again, there is relevance in that it picks on a given form of argument and lastly it can be classified as acceptable considering its political approach which is likely to attract debate and discussions.
Part Two
Social power has been used on different occasions to influence the outcome of different situations in societies. It has been majorly used in the political atmosphere to shape up opinions of voters or even the legislative components of countries. In arguments, social power plays a critical role in drawing conclusions and forming premises upon which people can believe a given opinion.
The letter to the editor of the New York Post addressed by David DiBello is in response to the 50 th anniversary of Dr. King’s ‘Dream.’ He argues that the majority of Americans gets along together despite their differences in race, creed, and ethnicity. According to him, there are good relations between blacks and whites on different fronts. These are majorly observed at workplaces and even in the learning institutions. The letter points out that most Americans have been influenced by Martin Luther King’s speech of ‘I have a dream.’ Again there is the aspect of the writer lauding the declaration elements of liberty, the pursuit for happiness and life. On the same note, he attacks those people who advocate for division based on race in which the black race is seen as inferior (NYPost.com, 2013)
Looking at the argument, it can be said to be informed by an aspect of social power known as referent power. This kind of power can be termed a type of power in which a group of people holds onto a common idea or values which creates a connection between them based on this urge to share the values ( Hanscomb, 2017). In this argument, there are some elements of ad hominem in that instead of focusing on the discussion he attacks a specific group of individuals. There are no elements of force thus it can be concluded that there are no aspects of argumentum ad baculum. It can be appropriately averred that there is ethotic power in which the letter gives an argument based on the powerful speech given by a popular individual like King who had great influence. The role of social power is that it can alter the thinking and argument of an individual to form an unexpected point of view.
References
DiBello, D. (2013, September 1). Your take on the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s ‘Dream’ [Letter to the editor]. New York Post , para. 1-6. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2013/09/01/your-take-on-the-50th-anniversary-of-dr-kings-dream
Hanscomb, S. (2017). Critical Thinking: The Basics . Routledge.
John, S. (2015). Inductive risk and the contexts of communication. Synthese , 192 (1), 79-96.
Rey, L. (2013, September 11). Protecting New Yorkers: Let cops do their jobs [Letter to the editor]. New York Post , para. 1-5. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2013/09/11/protecting-new-yorkers-let-cops-do-their-jobs/
