Analyzing Deductive and Inductive Arguments in To Kill a Mockingbird
Film Background: Gregory Peck plays defense attorney, Atticus Finch, in the film To Kill a Mockingbird. The story is about a young man accused of rape. Toward the end of the trial, Atticus Finch is giving his summation to the jury. He must be careful not to alienate the members of the jury, whom he regards as potentially biased against the defendant because of his race. Finch first argues the prosecution has not proved a crime was actually committed, then claims the accused, Tom Robinson, could not physically have done what the prosecution claims.
Finch, believing he must do more than make claims and logical arguments establishing reasonable doubt, addresses a key question: Why would the young woman accuser have lied about being raped by the accused, Tom Robinson?
Finch says he has pity for the victim, then argues by accusing Tom Robinson, the victim was attempting to rid herself of her own guilt. The defense attempts to challenge the prejudicial assumption races other than Caucasian cannot be trusted.
Your tasks:
View these scenes. After you have viewed the clips, please complete the following:
Listen carefully to the claim and arguments made by Atticus Finch in his speech to the jury.
Hint: Finch delivers two deductive arguments and two inductive arguments. He offers more than one specific reason/premise for each of the four arguments.
Evaluate Finch’s reasons/premises using The Four Tests of Worthiness. You will evaluate all of Finch’s reasons you created in your maps to support the claim using The Four Tests of Worthiness. This means for each reason that supports a claim, you will evaluate for truthfulness, strength, relevance, and non-circularity.
Write at least four sentences assessing the logical strength of the inferences Finch presents to imply the conclusions must certainly be true if we take all the premises to be true ;
Write at least four sentences assessing the logical strength of the inferences Finch presents to justify or support the belief the conclusions are very probably, but not necessarily, true if we take their premises to be true.
Dear Writer, I am not sure if you can make the symbols for the map. If you cannot make the symbols can you just make a list of the arguments? for example….
reason supporting claim orange circle-
objection or counter argument pink arrow-Please let me know if you need anymore info. I have linked a previous assignment with chapter 5 on mapping for your reference if you need
