CR 5-Claims

Undisputable truth

"[...]asserts that something is true--that a condition
has existed, exists, or will exist" (Rottenberg 150).

Must convince the reader that their claim is true and
therefore valuable information. Do this by backing up
with statistics, testimony, and undeniable facts.

Claims of fact's meanings can be interpreted with different meanings.

Different interpretations can lead to different understandings of Claims of fact.

"A prediction uses known facts to make a claim about the future" (Rottenberg 150).

New data can change our understanding of Claims of fact.

"Claims of policy argue that certain conditions should exist" (Rottenberg 164).

"Almost always, should or ought to or must is expressed or implied in the claim" (Rottenberg 164).

Claim of policy arguments begin by convincing the reader that a problem exists (Rottenberg 164).

This requires factual evidence that shows that something is unsatisfactory (Rottenberg 164).

Claims of policy can be presented with claims of fact to create a stronger argument.

"[...]claims of value make a judgement" (Rottenberg 158).

"Some claims of value are simply expressions of taste,
likes and dislikes, or preferences and prejudices" (Rottenberg 158).

De gustibus non est disputandum-we cannot dispute taste (Rottenberg 158).

'Many claims of value, however, can be defended or attacked on the basis of standards that measure the worth of an action, a belief, a performance, or an object" (Rottenberg 158).

What are the standards or criteria for deciding that this action, this belief, this performance, or this object is good or bad, beautiful or ugly, desirable or undesirable? (Rottenberg 158).

Aesthetics: the study of beauty and fine arts (Rottenberg 158).

Experts disagree on the standards for judging the aesthetic of something.

More often than not professional experts agree on the quality of something.

Judgements based on morality can differ greatly as people have differing views of what is moral and what isn't moral.

"Lionel Ruby, an American philosopher, sums it up in these words: "The law of rationality tells us that we ought to justify our beliefs by evidence and reasons, instead of asserting them dogmatically" (Rottenberg 160).