LRBW P. 24 # 10

[Marce]

HI,

AS FOR #10 ON PG. 24, why isn't this a source argument error? The author does acknowledge the fact that the previous mgr wouldn't tolerate errors even from recent employees.
Based on your definition of the Straw Man error " the author attempts to attack by ignoring the actual statements by the opposing speaker and distorts the argument".

Thanks!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Marce,

I'm looking at the 2016 LRB, and there isn't a #10 on page 24. Can you help me out with more details about what you might be looking at? That would be a great help

Thanks!

[Marce]

Hi It's the LRB Workbook for bth questions

[Dave Killoran]

Great, thank you—makes a big difference when we know the right book

Ok, so a source argument attacks the person (or source) instead of the argument they advance. Where in the argument does this happen in your estimation?

A typical source argument would be something such as:

• “The anti-smoking views expressed by Senator Smith should be ignored. After all, Smith himself is a smoker!”

Note how the argument is dismissed not due to its merits, but due to something about Smith himself. In the LRBW argument you ask about, wheres the personal criticism? Distorting an argument isn't a personal attack since it doesn't use something about the person and instead reinterprets their words.

Thanks!