To PEE some argument is to Present, Explain,
and then Evaluate that argument. It's often the case that people
have a hard time learning the PEEing procedure. So, in this handout I will PEE
an argument against 10C, while highlighting the PEEing procedure along the way.
I. Presenting the argument
To present an argument is simply to write the argument down
in a valid form. For example:
To explain an argument is to do two things: it is (i) to define
all the technical terms in the argument, and (ii) to provide a rationale for
each premise. A rationale for a premise is an example, reason, or sub-argument
that shows why the premise might be considered plausible by someone--why someone,
perhaps a defender of the argument, might believe the premise to be true, or
acceptable. You must go line by line when providing rationales for the premises.
Here's my explanation of the argument against 10C:
Definition--10C: An act token, A, is morally right iff A does not violate any
of the Ten Commandments.
Rationale for (1): Matt is an alcoholic. One evening after getting sloshed in
the bar, Matt decided to go out for a little joyride. Unfortunately, Matt couldn't
see, and plowed down some kids as he roared out of the parking lot. Luckily,
none of the kids died, but a few of them lost the use of their legs. Matt, though
he crashed again several times, survived the night unscathed.
10C implies that any act that fails to violate one of the Ten Commandments is morally right. Matt's act of drunk driving didn't violate any of them. Thus, if 10C is an acceptable moral theory, then Matt's act of driving drunk is morally right
.
Rationale for (2): Matt had several options open to him that wouldn't have resulted
in the maiming of innocent children. He could have called a cab, or a friend.
Instead, however, he opted to pursue a course of action that resulted in irreversible
damage and tremendous agony. Surely he failed to do the morally right thing.
III. Evaluating the argument
To evaluate an argument is to answer a series of questions
concerning that argument: Is it valid? If so, then which form
is it in? Is the argument sound? If you don't believe it is,
then pick a line and state an objection. Here's
my evaluation of the argument against 10C:
Valid? Yes
Form? MT
Sound? Yes