nailin16 wrote:
Is content of conclusion same as conclusion?
Conclusion- the idea that author wants to advocate
Evidence- data point,premise
How can one define the term judgement used in this context?
I can only assume that you are referring to this question:
Delta products, Inc., has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity. The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that
for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly. The answer, clearly, is yes, since the amount of fossil fuel used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount needed to power the older technologies, provided that the level of output is held constant.
In the argument given, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?
A. The first identifies the content of the conclusion of the argument; the second provides support for that conclusion.
B. The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second identifies the content of that conclusion.
C. The first states the position that the argument opposes; the second states the conclusion of the argument.
D. Each provides evidence that calls the conclusion of the argument into question.
E. Each provides support for the conclusion of the argument.
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As we can see some choices (such as A) refer to the content of the conclusion of the argument.
What is the conclusion of the argument? In this argument the conclusion is: "The answer, clearly, is yes" but the answer to what? The answer to the question of whether we can conclude that for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly. Accordingly, the second boldface phrase provides the content of the conclusion. Without this information the conclusion itself would not provide us with much information.
Where can we go with this information? Well, we can eliminate answer choices A, C, D, and E leaving B as the best answer. Are we sure? On the test, it might be a good idea just to put B and move on to the next question to save time. In this case, however, we will test the other half of the answer to make extra sure that we have the right answer.
Now that we know that the whole conclusion (the stub plus the content) is "Yes, we
can conclude that for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly" and now we want to determine whether the first boldface statement provides support for this conclusion. How can we do so? One method is through the use of the Why? test. If we can state the conclusion, ask the question why? and use the first boldfaced statement to answer the question, then it surely supports the conclusion.
We can conclude that for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly.
Why?
Because Delta products, Inc., has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity.
Since the first statement does answer the question why? it provides evidence in support of the conclusion. Stated reasons such as this one are often called premises.
I hope that this information has answered your question adequately. If not, don't hesitate to contact me again.