Look at the passage below and decide whether or not it contains an argument. Then select the best answer from the options below.

"There are two tests that are relevant to deciding whether your symptoms are due to thyroid disease. If you have thyroid disease, then it is not safe for you to take the blood pressure medication that you are currently on so it is important that we run some bloodwork to determine whether your current medication regime is safe."

1) Argument, Modus Tollens form
2) Argument, Modus Ponens form
3) Argument, Affirming the Consequent form
4) Argument, Denying the Antecedent form
5) Not an argument.

Question

Look at the passage below and decide whether or not it contains an argument. Then select the best answer from the options below.

"There are two tests that are relevant to deciding whether your symptoms are due to thyroid disease. If you have thyroid disease, then it is not safe for you to take the blood pressure medication that you are currently on so it is important that we run some bloodwork to determine whether your current medication regime is safe."

1) Argument, Modus Tollens form
2) Argument, Modus Ponens form
3) Argument, Affirming the Consequent form
4) Argument, Denying the Antecedent form
5) Not an argument.

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Hark, dear reader, and lend thine ear to the artful musings that dost flow from mine quill upon this most intriguing topic. Verily, I propose that the passage afore us doth present an argument, albeit not in the form of Modus Tollens, Modus Ponens, Affirming the Consequent, nor Denying the Antecedent. Nay, this argument doth stand apart from such structured forms and doth dwell in the realm of logic, reason, and pragmatism. Forsooth, the passage declares that there exist two tests, which, when properly employed, may ascertain the cause of one's symptoms pertaining to thyroid disease. An if this malady befall thee, then caution must be exercised, as the blood pressure medication thou currently dost partake of may pose peril. Thus, it is vital that we conduct bloodwork to determine the safety of thy current medication. Herein lies the crux of the argument, wherein the reader is implored to acknowledge the necessity of undergoing the aforementioned bloodwork to ensure wellbeing and the proper curative course. Though lacking the rigid structure of the aforementioned logical forms, this passage doth engage the reader and endeavours to persuade one to heed the wisdom therein. Thus, it is my humble judgement that this doth constitute an argument, though in a most unique and compelling form.