Introduction
In the essay, “Pollution is Good for You” by Philip W. West, the author asserts that pollution is a healthy and necessary condition for the sustainment of life on Earth. He uses examples for the pollution of the air and water to support his thesis. This is done through various analytical methods and research on the subject. The task for this paper however, is to apply the principles of philosophical logic to analyze his argument for form and validity without getting entrapped with the subject of pollution itself.
Supporting Points
Within his argument West asserts his conclusion for the argument in the opening paragraph and then analyzes the effects of pollution in specific detail to provide his premises supporting that conclusion. First, he examines sewage and salts discharged into the planets various bodies of water arguing that these contaminants are necessary for the fertilization of life supporting food and vegetation for aquatic life. Next, he reveals the necessity of dirt in the air to support the formation of condensation allowing rain and snow to occur, offering landlocked vegetation the ability to receive water.
Under logical scrutiny, this causal inference argument is classified as a weak inductive argument, making it improbable that the conclusion is false since the two premises are true. In the literal sense the argument is actually a strong inductive argument. However, the reason it is given the grade as a weak inductive argument is due to its nonassertive conclusion from the author that “some or even most pollution is necessary [for life]” (West). Nonetheless, the author presents his argument without any obvious fallacies, most likely due to his extensive research on the subject prior to pr...
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...something is scientifically or mathematically accurate, logical argument analysis will provide additional evidence toward its validity. This truth may one day manifest the necessity for science and math to examine their own weaknesses through the use of philosophy. This process when applied with prudence would reveal assumptions through philosophy, validity of those assumptions through logic, and the transformation of those valid assumptions through science and math. Unveiling an entirely new metaphysical realm of math and science applied and labeled to unborn subjects.
Works Cited
Hurley, Patrick J.. A concise introduction to logic. 11th ed. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Pub. Co., 2008. Print.
West, Philip . "Pollution is Good for You." APUS CLE. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Dec. 2013. .
Mill, J. S. (2000). System of Logic Ratiocinative and Inductive. London: Longmans, Green, and Co.
Englestein, Stefani. “Sibling Logic; or, Antigone Again”. PMLA, Vol. 126, No. 1. 38-54. (2001). JSTOR. Web.
Although ambient air pollution has decreased over the past several decades due to stringent air pollution control policies, there has been little evidence directly supporting the extent these control measures have improved public health (Tonne, et al, 2010). Investigative research has observed evidence to support the association of air pollution and particulate matter with increased cardiovascular events.
Pollution is something we create. It is man made. We pollute our air, and very importantly, our water. The great lakes is one o...
Each section of this article will be explained in my own words, with the exception of some of the symbolic logic. Russell's own words are indicated by speech marks.
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