phl320 r2 critical thinking ch03c
Chapter 3; third part of 3.
VAGUENESS!
Another important source of confusion in real life
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
YOU: Dr. Teacher, Dr. Teacher!
I missed class! What’s the reading assignment? DR. TEACHER: Read a lot.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
2
“Read a lot????”
That’s pretty vague.
A statement is too VAGUE when it lacks enough detail for our purposes.
A judgment call.
But reasonable people agree that
“Read a lot” is too vague for a reading assignment.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
3
Which is more vague?
Jeremy turned his ankle.
Jeremy turned to religion.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
4
Which is more vague?
Oswald was dealt a full house.
Oswald is not playing with a full deck.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
5
Which is more vague?
My car turns on a dime.
These scales turn on a hair.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
6
In your judgment, is the italicized term too vague given the implied context? “I’d just like a regular haircut, please.”
There is no “correct” answer, BUT:
Seems pretty vague to this teacher.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
7
In your judgment, is the italicized term too vague given the implied context? “If you get ready for bed quickly, Mommy has a surprise for you.”
Seems just right, no?
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
8
Too vague given the implied context? “Let’s have a little less noise, for God’s sake! I’m trying to sleep!!”
Seems just right!
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
9
Too vague given the implied context? “To avoid unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, do not set the wick on your kerosene stove too high.”
Seems pretty darn vague.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
10
Too vague, in your opinion?
“Nothing short of total victory is acceptable in Iraq.”
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
11
Too vague given the implied context? “War on Terrorism”
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
12
Anything wrong with any of these?
“Today we face a crisis in higher education.” “What should be done about immigration?” “In this company, you need
VAGUENESS!
Another important source of confusion in real life
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
YOU: Dr. Teacher, Dr. Teacher!
I missed class! What’s the reading assignment? DR. TEACHER: Read a lot.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
2
“Read a lot????”
That’s pretty vague.
A statement is too VAGUE when it lacks enough detail for our purposes.
A judgment call.
But reasonable people agree that
“Read a lot” is too vague for a reading assignment.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
3
Which is more vague?
Jeremy turned his ankle.
Jeremy turned to religion.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
4
Which is more vague?
Oswald was dealt a full house.
Oswald is not playing with a full deck.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
5
Which is more vague?
My car turns on a dime.
These scales turn on a hair.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
6
In your judgment, is the italicized term too vague given the implied context? “I’d just like a regular haircut, please.”
There is no “correct” answer, BUT:
Seems pretty vague to this teacher.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
7
In your judgment, is the italicized term too vague given the implied context? “If you get ready for bed quickly, Mommy has a surprise for you.”
Seems just right, no?
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
8
Too vague given the implied context? “Let’s have a little less noise, for God’s sake! I’m trying to sleep!!”
Seems just right!
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
9
Too vague given the implied context? “To avoid unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, do not set the wick on your kerosene stove too high.”
Seems pretty darn vague.
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
10
Too vague, in your opinion?
“Nothing short of total victory is acceptable in Iraq.”
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
11
Too vague given the implied context? “War on Terrorism”
© 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher
12
Anything wrong with any of these?
“Today we face a crisis in higher education.” “What should be done about immigration?” “In this company, you need