Posted: February 28th, 2023

using ideological reasoning

R e q u i r e d R e s o u r c e s T P O I C : What Do I Value?

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapter 13
• Lesson
• Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)

I n t r o d u c t i o n

At the very end of Chapter 13, there is a Group Exercise that asks: What ideals would
you go to war to defend? We are not going to ask you to go to war, but we are going to
ask you to think about what ideals or values you believe would be worth defending –
even to the point of risking your life in their defense.

When Nazi Germany overtook Europe in the early 20th Century, resistance movements
sprung up in the occupied countries, and many civilians risked – and lost – their lives
against Nazisim. Today, in Saudi Arabia, women who protested restrictions on the rights
of women imposed by that country have been jailed, and remain jailed, even after some
of the rights they asked for have been granted.

I n i t i a l P o s t I n s t r u c t i o n s

For the initial post, address the following:

• What core values would you risk your life and freedom to defend?
• Could a nation going to war be appropriate in certain circumstances – or is war

never an appropriate response?

This is not a group exercise – post your thoughts, considering the scenarios proposed in
the text or any others you find important. Be sure to give your reasons for your answer.

Notice that this exercise requires deductive reasoning. You are stating a position and
supporting it with “top down” reasoning. Be sure to review Three Features of Ideological
Reasoning. Apply these concepts as you create your own arguments and evaluate
those of your peers.

Remember that you are using ideological reasoning here. Is your post structured like an
ideological argument, beginning with a general idea (opinion, belief, or principle) and
moving down from these abstractions to their specific applications?

The text warns us that ideological arguments often fail the test of Truthfulness of the
Premises. Have you tested the truth of your premises?

N o t e

You will be writing here about what you value highly. Others may not share your values.
Indeed, you may find that someone will write something that is entirely opposed to your
values. As critical thinkers and reasoners, we do not take offense because someone
disagrees with us. Critical thinkers examine their own argument, and the arguments of
others, objectively, rationally, and logically. Critical thinkers and reasoners do not find
the opinions of others “right” or “wrong” – they find them well-supported or not well-
supported.

Respect the opinion of your classmates. If you feel the need to disagree, do so
respectfully and acknowledge the valid points in your classmate’s argument.

Do not write anything that sounds angry or sarcastic even as a joke, because without
hearing your tone of voice, your peers might not realize you are joking.

The real objective here is discovering what values and beliefs are important to you and
whether or not you have a sound basis for those beliefs.

F o l l o w – U p P o s t I n s t r u c t i o n s

Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and
clarification.

• Do you agree with their answers?
• Would you join them in going to war for the reasons they advance, or do you

disagree with their reasons? Explain why.

W r i t i n g R e q u i r e m e n t s

• Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up)
• Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside

source)
• APA format for in-text citations and list of references
• 1 PAGE