Question

Which statements represent valid reasoning and which statements represent invalid reasoning? A town is considering whether to create a fenced dog run on two acres of its major park, so that dogs can be free of leashes without posing a danger to people outside the fenced area. A citizen makes a speech against building the dog run.

Which statements represent valid reasoning and which statements represent invalid reasoning?
Label Valid Reasoning or Invalid Reasoning
Giving dogs more opportunity to run and play would be a kindness to these friendly, loyal, sensitive animals.
As a child, the speaker was frightened by a dog barking angrily from behind a fence.
The dog run would benefit dog owners by marking their dogs happier and healthier.
Only 38 percent of the town's citizens own dogs, so the majority will not gain anything from a dog run.

Answer 1

Reasonable:

- Giving dogs more opportunity to run and play would be a kindness to these friendly, loyal, sensitive animals

- A recent poll found that the proposed dog run is supported by 75% of dog owners and 70% of those who don't own dogs

Unreasonable:

- My daughter gets scared when she hears dogs barking, so they should be kept behind a fence at a park

- Town leaders never listen to the concerns of dog owners because politicians tend to dislike animals

~Sarah Robinsen

Answer 2

Giving dogs more opportunity to run and play would be a kindness to these friendly, loyal, sensitive animals: valid reason(I’m not sure about this one)

As a child, the speaker was frightened by a dog barking angrily from behind a fence: invalid reason

The dog run would benefit dog owners by making their dogs happier and healthier: valid reason

Only 38% of the town’s citizens own dogs, so the majority will not gain anything from a dog run: valid reason