Arguments of Fact

All of the claims listed on page 200 of the book Everything’s an Argument are not worthy of being argued in front of a college audience. The statement that hurricanes are increasing in number and ferocity is opinionated (just like the rest of the claims). One person might say that hurricanes have become more ferocious in past few years but others might disagree and claim that these are all by chance. It is surprising to note that New Orleans was not the most devastating hurricane on record. It was actually a hurricane that occurred in the year 1900.

The claim that many people die each year of cancer is opinionated. The term “many” is loose and varies from person to person. According to Cancer Facts and Figures 2006 almost 1.4 million people died in the United States from cancer that year but that is only about .5% of the entire population. These figures can be seen as big or small depending on one’s viewpoint. To say fewer people would die of heart disease each year if more of them paid attention to their diets is like stating that dieting is the only factor affecting heart disease. Many factors effect heart disease (diet, smoking, genetics, etc.) and who knows if dieting alone would decrease that number of cases.

The idea that Japan might have come to terms more readily in 1945 if the Allies hadn’t demanded unconditional surrender does not reflect the attitudes of the time. To say boys would do better in classrooms if men were teaching is based on one’s viewpoint. One male child may have an easier learning experience with a female teacher rather than a same sex teacher. The idea that the ever-increasing numbers of minorities in higher education is evidence that racial problems have just about ended in the United States is probably false. The racial tension most likely exists still but is more dormant because people are fearful of being reprimanded and sued.

To say there aren’t enough high-paying jobs for college graduates these days is stating that a higher education does not grant a bigger salary. Of course some jobs will be in short supply but there are still plenty of jobs around if one has the right degree. Technology has been increasing exponentially in the past few years. So to say hydrogen may never be a variable alternative to fossil fuels because it takes too much energy to produce discredits the capabilities of human race. Maybe one we can create a very cheap, environment-friendly, and effective source of energy so that we may use hydrogen.

The statement that only one of the first forty-three presidents of the United States was a Catholic is not entirely true. Some could be considered Catholic because they shared the same beliefs or ideals. It all depends on a person’s viewpoint just like saying political activists have grossly exaggerated the effects of the USA Patriot Act on free expression. All these claims are arguments of fact and have loose translations.