Some Sample Arguments

1. Abortion is murder.

All murderers should be executed.

Therefore, all abortionists should be executed.

2. Earthquakes and other disasters will announce the end of the world.

Such disasters have been abundant this year.

So, the end of the world must be at hand.

3. If God does not exist, clearly there can be no sound argument for God's existence.

And, in fact, there is no sound argument for God's existence.

So, God does not exist.

4. Epimenides is a Cretan.

He says, "Cretans always lie."

Therefore, if Epimenides is telling the truth he must be lying;

but if he is lying, he cannot be telling the truth.

5. The universe is as orderly and regular as a clock.

But clocks are orderly and regular only because they are so designed.

Similarly, the orderliness of the universe implies a cosmic designer.

6. Males are stronger than females.

Mark is a male; Shirley is a female.

Therefore, Mark is stronger than Shirley.

7. Some people believe that oysters are delicious,

but others find the feel, odor, taste, and look of oysters absolutely disgusting.

So oysters are a fine food for some but not for others.

8. Some people believe that lying is always wrong,

while others believe some lies are morally justified.

So, although it is immoral for some people to lie, it is morally acceptable for others to do so.

9. Some people believe that human beings and chimpanzees evolved from a common ancestor,

while others believe that human beings were specially created by God and have no non-human ancestors.

So, some humans have no non-human ancestors and others do.

10. Many dinosaurs were very large and aggressive animals.

Early human beings, like present-day ones, sought to stay alive.

Consequently, early humans kept on guard against dinosaurs.