Page 49 - Smart Thinking: Skills for Critical Understanding and Writing, 2nd Ed

36 SMART THINKING: SKILLS FOR CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING & WRITING
diagrammed. Because the first layer of the diagram does not lead directly to the
conclusion, but instead to claim 1, we can call the argument supporting claim 1 a
sub-argument. It is subsidiary (though still important) to the main argument for
claim 5. We just add one diagram to the other, overlapping the common claim:

A; 1 7*-

W © - 0

Y
©

Theoretically, there is no limit to the ways that simple arguments can combine
in this manner, but for practical purposes, we may want to limit ourselves to no
more than three or four levels of claims, so that the process does not become
unwieldy. But it is crucial that we understand the basic idea behind complex
structures. Any conclusion is, at base, a claim for which premises are being given.
There is nothing to stop that claim from simultaneously serving as a premise itself,
which leads to another conclusion.
Exercise 3.6

Let us return to casting to assist our examination of complex structures. To help
you understand them, work through the following exercise and then refer to the
answers. There is more guidance there about how to cast but, until you have tried
it yourself, you will not be able to understand that assistance. You must cast this
argument, realising that it has a complex argument structure.
The current Australian government is, in many ways, challenging the role of
the United Nations as a body that promotes action by member nations to
maintain and extend human rights within those nations' own jurisdiction.
This challenge has a distinct and dangerous consequence for Australia
(quite apart from arguments about its dubious morality) because the chal-
lenge puts Australia in conflict with most other nations of the world over
human rights and Australian trade and foreign relations are likely to suffer
in the long run. By definition, this long-term result is dangerous. I believe
that the government's role should be to work to avoid danger and, therefore,