Question

Consider the meaning of the quote, “While our daily language may not be full of explicit debate, it is full of underlying values and unstated assumptions.”

Suppose you read that “Graduates of College A are more successful than those of College B, which is reflected in the average initial salaries students make.” The person making that statement assumes that success is measured by income and values an employee’s starting income more than, say, income increases within 5 years of employment.

Instructions: Respond to the following questions about statements you might encounter outside of a formal debate setting and discuss with your classmates.

A sign outside a local cleaning service says “Our employees speak English.” What sorts of values or assumptions are behind that statement? Is there an argument being made?

When registering for next semester’s courses, you ask a friend for advice. “Don’t take Professor X’s course,” he says. “I could’ve learned all of that just by reading a book.” What assumptions and/or values does that statement reveal?

Answer 1

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