Argument

I. FIRST STEP: EXAMINE THE STATEMENT OF THE CONCLUSION

A. State your conclusion in si!le lan"ua"e. Sort out t#e ty!e o$ conce!ts use% in t#e
conclusion &analytic' e!irical' e(aluati(e' $ictitious' etc.)
Conclusion: Ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% *e a*olis#e%. T#e stateent o$ t#e conclusion is
si!le an% unco!licate%.
T#e ter +ca!ital !unis#ent, is an a*stract ter t#at is (ery contro(ersial in ters o$ its
i!act on t#e li(es o$ certain !eo!le. T#e ter +a*olis#, is a !rescri!ti(e ter' -#ile t#e
ter +s#oul%, si"nals t#e stateent to *e e(aluati(e in t#e $or o$ a le"al !ro!osal.
.. Please %e$ine t#e /ey ters in your conclusion usin" t#e tec#ni0ue o$ analytic
%e$inition so t#at you can #a(e coon $rae o$ re$erence. Pay close attention to -#at
can *e ta/en as (a"ue or a*i"uous ters.
T-o ters ust *e %e$ine%:
1.+Ca!ital !unis#ent, is t#e le"al in$liction o$ %eat# as a !enalty $or (iolatin" criinal
la-.
2.To +a*olis#, ca!ital !unis#ent eans to to !ut an en% to its i!leentation in
accor%ance -it# t#e la-.
C. Can t#ere *e a"reeent in t#e eanin" &or use) o$ t#e ters3 Or t#e (ery %e$inition o$
t#e ter is *iase%' #ence contro(ersial3
T#e eanin"s o$ t#e ters +ca!ital !unis#ent, an% +a*olis#, are not *iase%' #ence
t#ey4re eanin"s are not contro(ersial. T#ey are neit#er (a"ue nor a*i"uous so t#ere
can *e a"reeent in t#e use o$ t#e ters.
II. SECON5 STEP: ANAL6SIS OF THE CLAIM OF THE CONCLUSION
A. Please classi$y t#e conclusion into ty!es o$ /n-o-le%"e clais' (i7.' analytic'
e!irical' or e(eluati(e. Is it a le"al or !olicy !ro!osal3 is t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion
contro(ersial3
T#e clai o$ t#e conclusion +ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% *e a*olis#e%, is o*(iously a
le"al !ro!osal. T#e a*olition o$ ca!ital !unis#ent is (ery contro(ersial in t#e P#ili!!ine
conte8t. T#rou"#out #istory' any nations #a(e sanctione% t#e use o$ ca!ital !unis#ent.
In t#e late 29t# century' soe countries a*olis#e% t#e %eat# !enalty' i!osin" li$e
sentences instea%. T#e %eat# !enalty is i!ose% in t#e country' *ut t#e !ractice #as lon"
*een contro(ersial' *ecause o$ t#e stron" o!!osition o$ t#e Cat#olic c#urc# as -ell as
non:"o(ernent or"ani7ations.
.. ;#at is t#e conclusion tryin" to !ro(e3 ;#at is t#e re0uire% !roo$ or e(i%ence to
<usti$y t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion3 6ou cannot ans-er t#ese 0uestions unless you #a(e
classi$ie% t#e /no-le%"e clai t#at your conclusion is assertin". Let e %etail t#e ste!s
*elo-.
T#e clai o$ t#e conclusion is a le"al !ro!osal.
1. I$ t#e conclusion is an e!irical "enerali7ation' -e #a(e an ascen%in" %e"ree o$
"enerali7ation *e"innin" $ro soe' a $e-' any' ost' alost all' an% all' you can
a!!eal to t#e re0uire% e(i%ence su!!ortin" %i$$erent le(els o$ "enerali7ations.
Not a!!lica*le.
2. I$ t#e conclusion is an e(aluati(e clai &li/e reli"ious' aest#etic' !olitical or oral
clais)' -e can a!!eal to t#e stren"t# o$ t#e inter:su*<ecti(e consensus or !u*lic
acce!ta*ility t#at can <usti$y t#e clai3
Not rea%ily a!!lica*le.
=. I$ t#e conclusion is a le"al or a !olicy !ro!osal' you can a!!eal to t#e *ene$icial
conse0uences' i$ t#e !ro!osal is i!leente%. Or you can #ar! on t#e
a(ersi(e conse0uences' i$ t#e !ro!osal is not i!leente%. T#is is t#e *est -ay to <usti$y
a le"al or !olicy !ro!osal.
T#e conclusion is a le"al !ro!osal. Le"al an% !olicy !ro!osals are <usti$ie% teleolo"ically:
t#at is in ters o$ t#e *ene$icial conse0uence o$ i!leentin" t#e !ro!osal an% a(ersi(e
conse0uences o$ not i!leentin" t#e !ro!osal.
>. Try to %etreine i$ t#e clai/ o$ t#e conclusion is in t#e real o$ t#e /no-n' /no-a*le'
or un/no-a*le3 I$ t#e clai is in t#e /no-n an% /no-a*le' t#en it is !ro(a*le. I$ t#e
clai is un/no-a*le' t#en it is un!ro(a*le' an% you can sto! usin" t#e te!late. Ho-e(er
i$ t#e clai is !ro(a*le' t#en try to %eterine i$ t#e e(i%ence can *e !ro%uce% in $act or in
!rinci!le3
T#e clai o$ t#e conclusion is in t#e real o$ t#e /no-n an% t#ere$ore !ro(a*le. Hence'
t#e e(i%ence can *e !ro%uce% in $act.
III. THIR5 STEP: COMPOSE THE AR?UMENT
Conclusion: Ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% *e a*olis#e%.
Preise set:
1.Ca!ital !unis#ent is /illin"' as suc#' its i!leentation is -ron" *ecause it eans
ta/in" a !erson4s li$e ar*itrarily an% is a *latant (iolation o$ #uan ri"#ts as state% in t#e
Uni(ersal 5eclaration o$ Ri"#ts.
2.It is *iase% a"ainst t#e !oor un%er our <ustice syste.
=.I$ it is a*olis#e%' t#en t#e !ossi*ility o$ re#a*ilitation o$ t#ose $oun% "uilty o$ cries is
increase%.
>.I$ it is a*olis#e%' t#en crie rate -oul% increase since not#in" -ill %eter !eo!le $or
coittin" cries' alt#ou"# stu%ies #a(e s#o-n t#at it is not a %eterrent to crie.
I@. FOURTH STEP: CRICIAE THE AR?UMENT
A. Scrutini7e T#e Conclusion
1. Please re:e8aine t#e -ay t#e conclusion -as -ritten. Is t#e stateent o$ t#e
conclusion *iase%3 Is t#e %e$initoion o$ t#e /ey ters neutral an% acce!ta*le3 Or is it
contro(ersial3 Is t#ere a nee% to re(ise t#e stateent o$ t#e conclusion3
T#ere is no nee% to re(ise t#e stateent o$ t#e conclusion since it is si!le an%
unco!licate% enou"#. T#e eanin"s o$ t#e -or%s are neit#er *ias nor contro(ersial.
2. ne8t' re:e8aine t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion: I$ it is an e!irical "enerali7ation' t#en
c#allen"e t *y %ean%in" t#e re0uire% e(i%ence $or any' ost or all clai in t#e
!reises set. I$ t#e re0uire% e(i%ence $or t#e %"enerali7ation -as not o$$ere% in t#e
!reise set' t#en re<ect t#e ar"uent as !ure "uess -or/.
Not a!!lica*le.
=. T#e 0uic/est -ay o %eolis# an e!irical ar"uent is to con$ront t#e c$onclusion an%
!ro(e it to *e $alse or at least i!ro*a*le *y !ro%uin" counter:e8a!les. I$ t#e clai is
all' re<ect t#e conclusion *y a counter:e8a!leB i$ t#e clai is ost' !ro%uce as any
counter e8a!les as you can.
Not a!!lica*le.
>. No-' i$ t#e conclusion is an e(aluati(e clai' c#allen"e it *y %ean%in" t#e re0uyire%
e(i%ence $or a stron" inter:su*<ecti(e consensus. I$ t#is e(i%ence -as not o$$ere% in t#e
!reises' re<ect t#e ar"uent as $allacious : irrele(ant reason.
T#e conclusion is a/in" an e(aluati(e clai in t#e $ro o$ a e"al !ro!osal. A*olis#in"
ca!ital !unis#ent #a(e t#e re0uire% stren"t# o$ inter:su*<ecti(e consensus in a
!re%oinantly Cat#olic !o!ulation' #o-e(er t#e "o(ernent reains stea%$ast on t#e
i!leentation o$ ca!ital !unis#ent.
C. 6ou /no- t#at t#e 0uic/est -ay to %eolis# an e(aluati(e ar"uent is to con$ront t#e
e(aluati(e conclusion an% s#o- t#at it is contary to certain oral !rinci!le t#at is
su!!orte% *y (ery strn" !u*lic acce!tance an% a!!ro(al.
A*olis#in" ca!ital !unis#ent en<oy !u*lic acce!tance an% a!!ro(al an% is a!!arently
su!!orte% *y t#e oral !rinci!les tau"#t *y t#e Cat#olic c#urc#. It is sai% t#at /illin" is a
ortal sin an% only ?o% can ta/e a-ay a !erson4s li$e. Ho-e(er' *ein" a le"al !ro!osal'
s/e!tics can a!!eal to t#e *ene$icial conse0uences as -ell as a(ersi(e conse0uences t#at
can *e a(oi%e% *y not a*olis#in" ca!ital !unis#ent -#ic# ay o(erri%e t#e oral
!rinci!le.
D. Finally' i$ t#e conclusion is !ro!osin" a le"al or !olicy !ro!osal' c#allen"e t#e estiate
o$ t#e !ro*a*ility o$ t#e antici!ate% *ene$icial as -ell as a(ersi(e conse0uences.
T#e conclusion is a le"al !ro!osal an% #ence susce!ti*le to t#e c#allen"e o$ %ean%in"
soli% e(i%ence $or t#e antici!ate% *ene$icial conse0uences i$ a*olis#e% an% t#e !re%icte%
a(oi%ance o$ a(ersi(e conse0uences i$ t#e !ro!osal is not a*olis#e%.
.. Scrutini7e T#e Preise Set:
1. Please c#ec/ i$ t#ere are %ulications in t#e !reises3 I$ t#ere are' er"e t#e re%un%ant
!reises into one.
T#ere are no %u!lications in t#e !reise set.
2. 6ou #a(e to clasi$y t#e assortent o$ your !reises into ty!es o$ /no-le%"e clais'
eit#er e!irical' e(aluati(e or e(en analytic.
T#e $irst !reise is an e(aluati(e clai' -#ile t#e rest o$ t#e !reises su!!ortin" t#e
conclusion are e!irical clais.
=. Are t#ere inconsistent or contra%ictory !reises3
T#ere are no inconsistent or contra%ictory !reises.
>. Ma/e a tentati(e estiate o$ t#e stren"t# o$ t#e ar"uent *y ran/in" t#e stren"t# o$ t#e
su!!ort o$$ere% *y eac# an% e(ery !reise. ;#ic# !reise' i$ true or acce!ta*le'
!ro(i%es t#e stron"est su!!ort to t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion3 Is t#e ar"uent !ersuasi(e3
T#at is to say li/ely to *e acce!te% *y t#e tar"et au%ience.
Preise 1' 2' an% = "i(e stron" su!!ort to t#e conclusion +ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% *e
a*olis#e%,. I$ a*olis#e%' t#e *ene$icial conse0uences are Preise 1 criinals -oul% *e
"i(en t#eir ri"#t to li$e' &%es!ite *ein" sentence% to li$e' at least t#eir li(es -ere not ta/en
ar*itrarily') t#us t#ey4ll *e "i(en t#e c#ance o$ Preise = re#a*ilitation. Moreo(er'
Preise 2 i!lies t#at t#e !oor -ill *e ser(e% <ustice an% not *e (ictis o$ t#e syste.
On t#e ot#er #an%' Preise > o$$ers t#e least su!!ort. I$ t#e ar"uent o$ t#ese *ene$icial
conse0uences is not c#allen"e%' t#en t#e ar"uent is 0uite stron" an% !ersuasi(e.
C. 6ou #a(e to %eterine i$ t#e !reises o$$ere% are all necessary to !ro(e t#e conclusion.
Is t#ere a !reise t#at o$$ers little or no su!!ort3
All t#e !reises are necessary' e8ce!t Preise > -#ic# o$$ers little su!!ort.
D. I$ all t#e !reises are necessary to !ro(e t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion' t#e ne8t 0uestion
to as/ is: Is t#e !reise set su$$icient to esta*lis# clai o$ t#e conclusion -it#out
a%%itional !reise&s). 6ou #a(e to %eonstrate t#at t#e !reise set is not su$$icient to
esta*lis# t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion *y claiin" t#at t#e !reise set is (ery ina%e0uate
to !ro(e -#at is -ante%.
T#e !reise set is not su$$icient to !ro(e t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion *ecause t#e
!re%icte% conse0uences see unli/ely to #a!!en. In any case' t#e !re%ictions o$ t#e
conse0uences -ere not su!!orte% *y e(i%ence.
E. try to %eterine i$ t#ere is an i!ortant !reise issin" in t#e set. T#is !reise ust
*e !ro%uce%. I$ you can %o t#is' you #a(e succee%e% in -ea/enin" t#e ar"uent.
An i!ortant e(i%ence issin" in t#e !reise set is t#e e8!erience o$ ot#er countries in
a*olis#in" ca!ital !unis#ent -#ere it coul% *e %eonstrate% t#at t#e antici!ate%
conse0uences -#et#er *ene$icial or a(ersi(e o*taine%. ;it#out t#is e(i%ence t#e
antici!ate% conse0uence is !ure s!eculation an% cannot *e acce!te%.
F. Are t#e e(aluati(e or oral !reises su!!orte% *y a stron" inter:su*<ec$ti(e consensus
or !u*lic a!!ro(al3 5eonstrate t#at it %oes not #a(e suc# su!!ort. Or you can o$$er
anot#er oralGe(aluati(e !reise> t#at is inconsistent -it# t#e e(aluati(e !reise
o$$ere%3
Preise 1 is an e(aluati(e clai an% en<oys stron" inter:su*<ecti(e consensus in a
!re%oinantly Cat#olic !o!ulation' -#ile t#e ot#er !reises are all e!irical clais.
H. Are t#ere e!irical "enerali7atrions in t#e !reises3 C#allen"e t#e *y %ean%in"
$or t#e re0uire% e(i%ence $or eac# le(el o$ "enerali7ations *e"innin" $ron any' ost'
alost all an% all.
Not a!!lica*le.
a. 6ou /no- t#at "enerali7ations can *e c#allen"e% *y citin" t#at t#e o*ser(e% cases are
not re!resentati(e o$ t#e !o!ulatiuon or t#at t#e sa!le is not lar"e enou"#' #ence t#e
$allacy o$ #asty "enerali7ation is a%e.
Not a!!lica*le.
*. Anot#er tactic is to %eonstrate t#at t#e o*ser(e% cases are *iase% *ecause t#ey -ere
not o*ser(e% in e(ery !ossi*le (ariety o$ tie' !lace an% circustance an% t#at a
t#orou"# searc# $or counter e8a!les -as not %one.
Not a!!lica*le.
c. T#en' to clinc# your !oint' !ro%uce t#e counter e8a!le. Caution: a (ounter e8a!le
a!!lies only to an all claiB *ut (ery $e- are a-are o$ t#is. 6ou coul% use t#is to your
a%(anta"e. In contrast' to c#allen"e a ost clai you nee% any counter e8a!les.
Not a!!lica*le.
19. In a le"al or !olicy !ro!osal critici7e t#e estiate o$ t#e !ro*a*ilities o$ t#e occurence
o$ *ot# *ene$icial an% a(ersi(e conse0uence. Or "i(e counter e8ales -it# a o!!osite
conse0uence t#an t#ose !re%icte%. Pre%ictions o$ t#is sort o$etenties are not "roun%e on
e!irical %ata. Har! on t#is -ea/ness. I$ you can succee% in %oin" eit#er' you can re<ect
t#e ar"uent as a non se0uitur.
T#e !ro<ecte% conse0uences -#et#er *ene$icial or a(ersi(e in t#e !reises are all -is#$ul
t#in/in". T#e *est -ay to %eonstrate t#at t#e !ro<ecte% conse0uences are li/ely to occur
-oul% *e to %ra- $ro t#e e8!eriences o$ ot#er countries t#at a*olis#e% ca!ital
!unis#ent. Un$ortunately' t#ese %ata -ere not !ro%uce%. T#e su!!ort nee%e% *y a le"al
!ro!osal #as *een %estroye%.
11. 6ou #a(e to %eonstrate t#at t#e !reise et is ina%e0uate *ecause it %i% not o$$er t#e
*est reason &or e(i%ence) to su!!ort t#e conclusion. t#en you #a(e to !ro%uce t#e *est
reason. Ree*er ar"uents -oul% %raatically i!ro(e its stren"t# -it# t#e a%%ition
o$ a no(el !reise.
T#e !reise set is ina%e0uate *ecause it %i% not o$$er any e!irical e(i%ence to su!!ort
t#e !ro*a*ility o$ t#e occurrence o$ t#e !re%icte% conse0uences. ;#at is nee%e% is #ar%
%ata $ro t#e e8!erience o$ ot#er countries t#at a*olis#e% %eat# !enalty -oul%
%raatically i!ro(e t#e stren"t# o$ t#e ar"uent.
12. 6ou are no- rea%y to %eonstrate t#at t#e !reise set $aile% to !ro(e or <usti$y t#e
conclusion' *y c#allen"in" t#e !reises one *y one *e"innin" -it# t#e !reise&s) t#at
o$$ere% t#e stron"est su!!ort.
Preise 1 states a uni(ersal trut#' #o-e(er alt#ou"# t#e e8ecution o$ a ur%erer %oes not
!ro(i%e $ull <ustice $or t#e (icti' it is t#e closest !ursuit o$ <ustice t#at -oul% *e allo-e%
*y t#e oral sensi*ilities o$ ost !eo!le. ;it#out.t#e use o$ %eat# !enalty $or ur%er' t#e
in<ustice a"ainst t#e ur%er (icti continues an% increases -it# tie until t#e ur%erer
e(entually %ies.
Preise 2 i!lies t#at our <ustice syste is not $air or <ust' t#us creatin" anot#er set o$
issues.
Preise = !re%icts t#at i$ ca!ital !unis#ent is a*olis#e%' t#ose -#o -ere $oun% "uilty
-ill #a(e t#e o!!ortunity to re!ent' to c#an"e t#esel(es $or t#e *etter' #o-e(er t#is
-oul% not !ro(i%e t#e !eace o$ in% $or any (ictis an% t#eir $ailies. Moreo(er'
Re#a*ilitatin" t#ese criinals -ill only a%% to t#e "o(ernentIs *ur%en o$ su!!ortin"
t#e' t#rou"# $oo%' !rison #ouses' etc. Furt#erore' t#is !reise only states a c#ance' a
ay*e' a !er#a!s' not an e!irical trut#.
Preise > clais t#at a*olis#in" ca!ital !unis#ent -oul% contri*ute to t#e increase o$
crie rate' alt#ou"# it #as a re<oin%er t#at ca!ital !unis#ent %oes not really %eter
cries. 5eterrence' !re(ention an% e$$ecti(ity are t#e ain reasons -#y ca!ital
!unis#ent is i!leente% t#us i$ it is a*olis#e%' t#en not#in" -ill %eter or !re(ent
criinals $ro coittin" cries.
The Counter-Argument
I. FIRST STEP: EXAMINE THE STATEMENT OF THE CONCLUSION
A. State your conclusion in si!le lan"ua"e. Sort out t#e ty!e o$ conce!ts use% in t#e
conclusion &analytic' e!irical' e(aluati(e' $ictitious' etc.)
Conclusion: Ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% *e a*olis#e%. T#e stateent o$ t#e conclusion is
si!le an% unco!licate%.
T#e ter +ca!ital !unis#ent, is an a*stract ter t#at is (ery contro(ersial in ters o$ its
i!act on t#e li(es o$ certain !eo!le. T#e ter +a*olis#, is a !rescri!ti(e ter' -#ile t#e
ter +not, is erely use% to ne"ate t#e stateent' an% t#e ter +s#oul%, si"nals t#e
stateent to *e e(aluati(e in t#e $or o$ a le"al !ro!osal.
.. Please %e$ine t#e /ey ters in your conclusion usin" t#e tec#ni0ue o$ analytic
%e$inition so t#at you can #a(e coon $rae o$ re$erence. Pay close attention to -#at
can *e ta/en as (a"ue or a*i"uous ters.
T-o ters ust *e %e$ine%:
1.+Ca!ital !unis#ent, is t#e le"al in$liction o$ %eat# as a !enalty $or (iolatin" criinal
la-.
2.To +a*olis#, ca!ital !unis#ent eans to to !ut an en% to its i!leentation in
accor%ance -it# t#e la-.
C. Can t#ere *e a"reeent in t#e eanin" &or use) o$ t#e ters3 Or t#e (ery %e$inition o$
t#e ter is *iase%' #ence contro(ersial3
T#e eanin"s o$ t#e ters +ca!ital !unis#ent, an% +a*olis#, are not *iase%' #ence
t#ey4re eanin"s are not contro(ersial. T#ey are neit#er (a"ue nor a*i"uous so t#ere
can *e a"reeent in t#e use o$ t#e ters.
II. SECON5 STEP: ANAL6SIS OF THE CLAIM OF THE CONCLUSION
A. Please classi$y t#e conclusion into ty!es o$ /n-o-le%"e clais' (i7.' analytic'
e!irical' or e(eluati(e. Is it a le"al or !olicy !ro!osal3 is t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion
contro(ersial3
T#e clai o$ t#e conclusion +ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% *e a*olis#e%, is o*(iously a
le"al !ro!osal. T#e a*olition o$ ca!ital !unis#ent is (ery contro(ersial in t#e P#ili!!ine
conte8t. T#rou"#out #istory' any nations #a(e sanctione% t#e use o$ ca!ital !unis#ent.
In t#e late 29t# century' soe countries a*olis#e% t#e %eat# !enalty' i!osin" li$e
sentences instea%. T#e %eat# !enalty is i!ose% in t#e country' *ut t#e !ractice #as lon"
*een contro(ersial' *ecause o$ t#e stron" o!!osition o$ t#e Cat#olic c#urc# as -ell as
non:"o(ernent or"ani7ations.
.. ;#at is t#e conclusion tryin" to !ro(e3 ;#at is t#e re0uire% !roo$ or e(i%ence to
<usti$y t#e clai o$ t#e conclusion3 6ou cannot ans-er t#ese 0uestions unless you #a(e
classi$ie% t#e /no-le%"e clai t#at your conclusion is assertin". Let e %etail t#e ste!s
*elo-.
T#e clai o$ t#e conclusion is a le"al !ro!osal.
1. I$ t#e conclusion is an e!irical "enerali7ation' -e #a(e an ascen%in" %e"ree o$
"enerali7ation *e"innin" $ro soe' a $e-' any' ost' alost all' an% all' you can
a!!eal to t#e re0uire% e(i%ence su!!ortin" %i$$erent le(els o$ "enerali7ations.
Not a!!lica*le.
2. I$ t#e conclusion is an e(aluati(e clai &li/e reli"ious' aest#etic' !olitical or oral
clais)' -e can a!!eal to t#e stren"t# o$ t#e inter:su*<ecti(e consensus or !u*lic
acce!ta*ility t#at can <usti$y t#e clai3
Not rea%ily a!!lica*le.
=. I$ t#e conclusion is a le"al or a !olicy !ro!osal' you can a!!eal to t#e *ene$icial
conse0uences' i$ t#e !ro!osal is i!leente%. Or you can #ar! on t#e
a(ersi(e conse0uences' i$ t#e !ro!osal is not i!leente%. T#is is t#e *est -ay to <usti$y
a le"al or !olicy !ro!osal.
T#e conclusion is a le"al !ro!osal. Le"al an% !olicy !ro!osals are <usti$ie% teleolo"ically:
t#at is in ters o$ t#e *ene$icial conse0uence o$ i!leentin" t#e !ro!osal an% a(ersi(e
conse0uences o$ not i!leentin" t#e !ro!osal.
>. Try to %etreine i$ t#e clai/ o$ t#e conclusion is in t#e real o$ t#e /no-n' /no-a*le'
or un/no-a*le3 I$ t#e clai is in t#e /no-n an% /no-a*le' t#en it is !ro(a*le. I$ t#e
clai is un/no-a*le' t#en it is un!ro(a*le' an% you can sto! usin" t#e te!late. Ho-e(er
i$ t#e clai is !ro(a*le' t#en try to %eterine i$ t#e e(i%ence can *e !ro%uce% in $act or in
!rinci!le3
T#e clai o$ t#e conclusion is in t#e real o$ t#e /no-n an% t#ere$ore !ro(a*le. Hence'
t#e e(i%ence can *e !ro%uce% in $act.
III. THIR5 STEP: COMPOSE THE COUNTER:AR?UMENT
Conclusion: Ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% not *e a*olis#e%.
Preise set:
1.Peo!le coittin" t#e ost #einous cries #a(e $or$eite% t#eir ri"#t to li$e' t#us
ca!ital !unis#ent s#oul% not *e a*olis#e%.
2.It s#o-s #o- seriuosly society loo/s at t#e ost #einuos cries an% s#o- t#e "reatest
res!ect $or t#e or%inary anIs' an% es!ecially t#e (ictiIs' in(iola*le (alue.
=.It !ro(i%es !eace o$ in% $or any (ictis an% t#eir $ailies' as -ell as a -ay o$
*alancin" <ustice to a liite% %e"ree $or t#e crie coitte%..
>.It %eters !eo!le $ro coittin" cries' an% !re(ents o$$en%ers $ro "oin" *ac/ to
society.
@I. SIXTH STEP: E@ALUATE .OTH AR?UMENTS
As a critical t#in/er !lease state -#ic# o$ your ar"uents is stron"er : t#e ori"inal or t#e
counter ar"uent3 ;#ic# ar"uent is ore !ersuasi(e3 T#at is to say' li/ely to *e
acce!te% *y t#e tar"et au%ience. Can you stren"t#en t#e -ea/er ar"uent *y a%%in"'
alterin" an%Gor o%i$yin" t#e !reises3 T#is is t#e o!!ortunity tro e(aluate your counter
ar"uent *y $ollo-in" t#e ste!s in I@. T#is is t#e secon% le(el o$ your trainin" in
#astenin" t#e %e(elo!ent o$ your eta co"niti(e s/ills. Ia"ine e(aluatin" t#e stren"t#
o$ your ori"inal ar"uent an% counter: ar"uent.
T#e counter ar"uent is stron"er *ecause it u!#ol%s t#e rule o$ la- *y %iscoura"in"
(i"ilantis or sel$:#el! on t#e !art o$ t#e (ictiIs $aily or $rien%s. I$ not controlle%'
suc# sel$:#el! can lea% to e8treely %estructi(e (en%ettas or *loo% $eu%s. Just as t#e
(irtuous %eser(e re-ar% !ro!ortionate to t#eir "oo% %ee%s' so too t#e (icious %eser(e
!unis#ent !ro!ortionate to t#eir *a% %ee%s. Moreo(er' it is less cruel t#an !rolon"e$%
sentences o$ i!risonent' es!ecially un%er t#e con%itions t#at -oul% *e !o!ularly
%ean%e% $or #einuos cries.
In or%er to stren"t#en t#e ori"inal ar"uent' e!irical %ata $ro ot#er countries -#ic#
a*olis#e% ca!ital !uni%#ent s#oul% *e o$$ere%. Es!ecially t#eir *ene$icial conse0uences
li/e !rotection o$ t#e !u*lic' %iinis#in" t#e crie rate' an% u!#ol%in" t#e rule o$ la-.
;it#out t#ese %ata' t#e ori"inal ar"uent is -ea/er.