I’m reviewing my logic notes from last year and starting at the very beginning. I’m still a little confused about whether or not suggestions or recommendations (given there are premises for those suggestions or recommendations) or personal preferences (given there are reasons for personal preferences as well) are considered arguments. I need help determining whether or not the following are arguments, and it would also be really helpful if you could state the premises and conclusion. I have a vague idea but I’m not sure it’s correct. Thank you!
1. Raspberry Surprise ice cream has big chunks of real fruit! What a combination! Rich ice cream with delicious fruit; it’s my all-time favorite ice cream.
2. In order to make your computer produce high-quality graphics you must have the right software, plus a graphics card; you will also need a printer that has the capacity to print in many shapes and shades. In fact, a color printer works best.
3. I hereby leave my books, my computer, and my bottlecap collection to my cousin George Jefferies, because of all my relatives he is the one who has been kindest of me.
4. When you are cooking fettucine alfredo, be careful not to overcook the pasta. If the pasta is overcooked, it will stick together, and the sauce will not spread evenly over the pasta. Also, I recommend that you serve a green salad with the fettucine, and be sure to have plenty of red wine.
5. I like the way the Modern Jazz Quartet plays. They have a cool, tight, almost dispassionate style. It projects a sense of tremendous energy being held tautly in check. And the drums, bass, vibes, and piano work together so perfectly that sometimes it i impossible to tell where one stops and the other starts.
6. To be successful in your critical thinking course, it is important to do as many exercises as possible. It would also help a lot to read the chapters in the text, perhaps even a couple of times. And attending class regularly wouldn’t hurt.
In response to Ardi: While I appreciate the time you’ve put into answering, I’m not confused about the modus tollens arguments used in the examples you’ve provided. What I’m confused about (as previously mentioned) is whether or not a personal preference or suggestion is being "argued" for in assuming there are premises for their reasoning. Would their suggestion or preference then suffice as a conclusion? That is what I’m questioning. Though basic definitions, argument fallacies, etc. are all very interesting (and something I’ve studied in logic), I was hoping someone would address my question more specifically.
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