Asian American Market Essay, Research Paper
Part I
“Everything you know about the Littleton killings is wrong. But the truth may be scarier than the myths” (Cullen 1999, p. 1). This is the title of an article that claims that “what was reported last spring about the motives and methods of killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold was untrue” (Cullen 1999, p. 1). The question that arises from this claim, is how can that be so? How can the “most notorious events from the shooting spree – reported over and over in news reports, on TV chat shows and now in a bestselling book…” (Cullen 1999, p. 1) be false and in fact, to simply have never occurred? Using critical reasoning principles from English philosopher, Anthony Flew, one may begin to understand why everything we learnt through the media about the Littleton killings may well be incorrect.
This paper will concentrate on one “myth” – the killers were part of the Trench Coat Mafia. It will use two critical reasoning principles from Flew; namely Denying the Consequent/Affirming the Antecedent, and Affirming the Conseqent/Denying the Antecedent, to understand “the truth” behind “the myth”.
The two boys responsible for the killings were said to be part of the Trench Coat Mafia. Apparently, eighteen students from Chatfield High School associated with the group, were identified as acquaintances of Harris and Klebold. “They were kind of friends of fringe members” said one investigator (Cullen 1999, p. 3). Klebold was known to wear a trench coat occasionally. However, district spokesman Rick Kaufman stated, that “no students can recall ever seeing Eric wear a trench coat, other than once, this past fall [1998], other than the day of the shooting” (Cullen 1999, p. 4). In addition, the conclusion made by investigators was that the killers were not trying to evoke some echo of the Trench Coat Mafia by wearing their trademark coat on the day of the shooting. Instead, the investigators believe that “the reason they wore coats was for logistical, practical reasons” (Cullen 1999, p. 4). Despite of this somewhat reasonable conclusion, organisations such as Sears and CNN, continuously relate the Littleton killers to the Trench Coat and its’ Mafia. For instance, CNN Headline News was recently referring to “the two Trench Coat Mafia teens who were responsible for the Columbine High School massacre last April” (Cullen 1999, p. 3).
English philosopher, Anthony Flew states that “for if from any hypothesis… you can validly deduce some consequence…and if the consequence thus validly deduced is false, then it follows necessarily that the hypothesis itself must be false, too. One must decide whether simply to abandon the hypothesis or whether instead to reinterpret it so that it does not entail the kind of consequence which one had thought to be validly deduced therefrom” (Flew 1998, p. 33). Relating this to the association of the killers to the Trench Coat Mafia, then one will argue: Since the killers were “kind of friends of fringe members” and Klebold was known to wear a coat occasionally, and since they wore coats on the day of the killings, then it follows necessarily that the killers were part of the Trench Coat Mafia. One must accept this argument as valid. But the investigators have denied the truth of the conditional propositions, which function as the premises of that argument. “The form of the argument, and it is a valid form, is: If This is so, then That is so; but That is not so; therefore, This is not so either…Putting…symbolism to work…we can express the present valid form of argument as follows: If p then q, but -q, therefore -p” (Flew 1998, p. 34). However, there are two other forms that must be distinguished from this valid form. The first of the two invalid forms is if one lets the conditional propositions be granted, then “the premises so far provided do not preclude the possibility of some alternative explanation” (Flew 1998, p. 35). The second invalid form is “that such conditionals say nothing about the situation on the alternative assumption that their antecedents are not true” (Flew 1998, p. 35).
Flew proposes four possible moves to make with such conditional propositions: two valid and two invalid. Firstly, the valid move of If p then q, but -q, therefore -p. In other words, “Denying the Consequent” (Flew 1998, p. 35). If the killers were “kind of friends of fringe members”, and Klebold was known to wear a coat occasionally, and they wore coats on the day of the killings, then the killers were part of the Trench Coat Mafia. However, the killers were never part of the Trench Coat Mafia as concluded by the investigators. The investigators are “denying the consequent (the “then” bit) of the conditional to disprove the antecedent (the “if” bit): hence, Denying the Consequent” (Flew 1998, p. 35). Secondly, the invalid move of “Affirming the Consequent” (Flew 1998, p. 36). The killers were part of the Trench Coat Mafia because they were “kind of friends of fringe members”, Klebold was known to wear a coat occasionally, and they wore coats on the day of the killings. If p then q, but q, therefore p. This invalid move affirms “the consequent in the baseless hope of thereby proving the antecedent: hence, Affirming the Consequent” (Flew 1998, p. 36). Thirdly, the valid move of “Affirming the Antecedent” (Flew 1998, p. 36). The killers were “kind of friends of fringe members”, and Klebold was known to wear a coat occasionally, and they wore coats on the day of the killings, so the killers were part of the Trench Coat Mafia. If p then q, and p, therefore q. This valid move involves affirming “the antecedent in order to prove the consequent: hence…Affirming the Antecedent” (Flew 1998, p. 36). Fourthly and finally, the invalid move of “Denying the Antecedent” (Flew 1998, p. 36). If p then q, but -p, therefore -q. If the killers were “kind of friends of fringe members”, and Klebold was known to wear a coat occasionally, and they wore coats on the day of the killings, then the killers were part of the Trench Coat Mafia. However, investigators have concluded that they were more “outcasts” of the group than “friends of fringe members” and “the reason they wore coats was for logistical, practical reasons”. Therefore, the killers were never part of the Trench Coat Mafia. The investigators are denying “the antecedent in the baseless hope of thereby disproving the consequent: hence…Denying the Antecedent” (Flew 1998, p. 36).
Were Harris and Klebold ever part of the Trench Coat Mafia? “If such and such a proposition is true when it follows that, and we may validly deduce that, some other proposition is also true” (Flew 1998, p. 138). The investigtors are believing the “other proposition”, whereas organisations such as Sears and CNN are ignoring it. The investigators, whom are producing an official report about the massacre, say that Harris and Klebold were never part of the Trench Coat Mafia. “Whereas the truth of such a validly drawn deduction does not guarantee the truth of the premise from which it is thus validly deduced, its falsity does decisively demonstrate the falsity of that premise” (Flew 1998, p. 138). Klebold and Harris did not wear coats to evoke some echo of the Trench Coat Mafia. They wore coats for logistical and practical reasons; in fact to cover the “daunting arsenal of weapons” and “military web gear” they harnessed. (Cullen 1999, p. 3).
The investigators reached the reasonable conclusion that Klebold and Harris were never closely involved with the Trench Coat Mafia. This conclusion disagrees with “the myth” put forward by most of the media covering the tragedy. Neverthelesss, one must bring to mind T.H. Huxley’s observation that “The great tragedy of science—the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact” (Flew 1998, p. 37). In other words, no open proposition can ever be confirmed with “corresponding decisive finality” (Flew 1998, p. 37), without genuine counterexamples casting doubt. A viewpoint about science by Sir Karl Popper is some consolation. He is quoted as writing that science is “a matter of endless striving and of endless inquiry” (Flew 1998, p. 37) to reach the point at which “even Homer sometimes nods” (Flew 1998, p. 38).
Cullen, Dave. Everything you know about the Littleton killings is wrong. But the truth may be scarier than the myths. Salon: Sept. 23, 1999.
Flew, Anthony. How to think straight: An introduction to critical reasoning. New York:
Prometheus, 1998.
Macke, Frank. Reading images. Macon, GA: Mercer University, 1999.
Toulmin, Stephen. The uses of argument. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1958.
Другие работы по теме:
Los Vendidos Essay Research Paper Los Vendidos
Los Vendidos Essay, Research Paper Los Vendidos means the sell-outs. All the characters in the play sold-out at some point during the play. The characters sold out both their races and their way of life. I would say that the person who sold out the most was the Mexican-American because he sold-out both his Mexican, his American heritage and way of life.
ChanLing Tien Essay Research Paper ChangLin Tien
Chan-Ling Tien Essay, Research Paper Chang-Lin Tien I am doing my extra credit paper on Chang-Lin Tien. He is a professor of engineering at U.C. Berkeley. He is the first Asian American to hold a major research position at a University in the United States. Dr. Tien was born in Wuhan, China and was educated in Shanghai and Taiwan.
Curbo Company Essay Research Paper Curbo CompanyRecently
Curbo Company Essay, Research Paper Curbo Company Recently, Curbo Company has received a large sum of money from the estate of a former stockholder. Management is undecided about the most profitable means of investing this money. The Accounting Department has worked with the Engineering and Production Departments, and the Market Research Department is evaluating the alternatives available.
Jane Eyre Essay Research Paper Jane EyreJane
Jane Eyre Essay, Research Paper Jane Eyre Jane Eyre was originally a book, by Charlotte Bronte. It has now been made into a movie. There are two versions of the movie the BPC version, which is the British version and the American version. Both movies are very good and tell the story different. The British version is more like the book.
Beef It
’s What’s For Dinner Essay, Research Paper Abstract #1: American Beef Consumption in the United States In my research argument, my working thesis claim will be that American people should consume more of American beef products and be less afraid of, and more correctly informed about, the benefits of eating beef products.
Financial Article Essay Research Paper Goldman Sachs
Financial Article Essay, Research Paper Goldman Sachs is the last big Wall Street investment bank to go public. In this story they are explaining how is the timing of its IPO (Initial Public Offering) going to be affected by the market at this moment. The market at this moment is very volatile. Some people think that the market is too high and that a correction is in our way very soon.
Questions Of 28 Kisses Essay Research Paper
Some Questions for 28 Kisses tackled the issues of the portrayal of Asian women in the media, their neglect of Asian men, and the topic of interracial dating. From the 28 films he finds, each includes a Caucasian male with an Asian female, each acting in a romantic fashion. These films depict Asian females in stereotypically exotic roles such as sultry masseuses and as seductive slaves.
Curtis Chang Essay Essay Research Paper Curtis
Curtis Chang Essay Essay, Research Paper Curtis Chang EssayCurtis Chang s essay was so effective it made me look at ethnic minorities differently. Ethnic minorities are not anymore issues that everybody seems to ignore, they are now groups with success. The achievement of this ethnic minority shows how they are able to achieve the American dream.
Wu S View On Diversity Essay Research
Paper Wu s View on Diversity Frank Wu is an Asian-American student attending graduate school at the university of Michigan. This country is still weary of people who look or talk in a different way than the norm. Although Wu has lived his whole life in the U.S.A many people cannot believe that he is truly American, they feel that he must simply be a foreigner seeking a better education in the U.S.
Journeys Journey Essay Research Paper A Lifetime
Journeys Journey Essay, Research Paper A Lifetime of Journeys Journey is an important theme found in Asian American works. Although journey, by travel from one place to another is a common form of
Labor Forces Essay Research Paper The Massachusetts
Labor Forces Essay, Research Paper The Massachusetts AFL-CIO has partnered with the Massachusetts Business Roundtable to examine the future role of workforce training and education programs in the Commonwealth.
Asian American Literature Essay Research Paper It
Asian American Literature Essay, Research Paper It is true that all people are created different, and thus no two cultures will ever be the same. Throughout Asian American literature there seems to be a struggle between the Asian culture and American culture. More specifically, there is a struggle between Asian women and their Asian American daughters, and what it means to be feminine, and how a woman should act.
The City In Which I Love You
Essay, Research Paper The City in Which I Love You By Li-Young Lee For a New Citizen of These United States Asian American Poetry Poetry is an author s tool to produce written work in order to express themselves and evoke emotions and feelings they have. Poetry comes in many different forms and from much different type of authors.
East Asia Crisis Essay Research Paper A
East Asia Crisis Essay, Research Paper A large economic downturn in East Asia threatens to end its nearly 30 year run of high growth rates. The crisis has caused Asian currencies to fall
American Education System VS Asian Education System
Essay, Research Paper American Education system versus Asian Education System Today the American education system is no longer the best in the world. With declining test scores and poor academic achievement, people have questioned whether our current educational system is working for us? On the other side of the Pacific, the situation is totally different.
The Treatment Of The Elderly Essay Research
Paper The treatment of the elderly Since my grandparents turned Eighty, they have had trouble driving to the market. They are constantly being run off the road because they drove too slow, and the people
Native American Essay Research Paper The Native
Native American Essay, Research Paper The Native American s way of life was interesting and unique, describe to be savages, drunks and This paper will examine the Native American s character. During the 19th century, these peoples and their customs became well known, known as the stereotyped “Indian” customs the long feather headdress, the tepee (also spelled tipi), the stereotype ceremonial pipe, costumes, and dancing.
Asian Americans As Model Minorities Essay Research
Paper Asian Americans as Model Minorities For 20 years, Asian Americans have been portrayed by the press and the media as a successful minority. Asian Americans are believed to benefit from astounding achievements in education, rising occupational statuses, increasing income, and are problem-fee in mental health and crime.
Asian American Literature Essay Research Paper Asian
Asian American Literature Essay, Research Paper Asian Americans seem to be fighting an unwinnable battle when it comes to the content of their writing. Writers are criticized by whites for speaking out against discrimination, and by their fellow Asian Americans for contributing to the stereotypes through their silence.
Asian Theatre Essay Research Paper Asian theatre
Asian Theatre Essay, Research Paper Asian theatre is comprised of more than one geographic area. It consists of India, China and Japan. Each brought their own uniqueness to Asian theatre. Asian theatre as it pertains to China will be discussed in this chapter. Ancient Chinese chronicles mention other theatrical activities such as skits, pantomimes, juggling, singing and dancing.
Asian Superiority Essay Research Paper Maria E
Asian Superiority Essay, Research Paper Maria E Welbourne Eng.2 J.Corcoran The Celebration of Asian Americans has Obscured Reality Ronald Takaki vocalizes in his article that ?The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority?is not to assume that all Asian Americans are indeed successful, so it?s incorrect to generalize any particular race as superior over another.
Great Depression Essay Research Paper Great Depression
Great Depression Essay, Research Paper Great Depression began in the early 1930’s, and lasted about a decade. The main cause for the Great Depression was the combination of the greatly unequal distribution of wealth throughout the 1920’s and extensive stock market speculation that took place during the later part that same decade.
East Asian Crisis In The Economy Essay
, Research Paper A large economic downturn in East Asia threatens to end its nearly 30 year run of high growth rates. The crisis has caused Asian currencies to fall 50-60%, stock markets to decline 40%, banks to close, and property values to drop. The crisis was brought on by currency devaluations, bad banking practices, high foreign debt, loose government regulation, and corruption.
Market Research Essay Research Paper Before I
Market Research Essay, Research Paper Before I started to manufacture my products I had to find out if there was a market for it. This is called market research. Like any other business I had to decide what market research methods are most likely to give me the information I need.
Asian Economic And Financial Crisis Essay Research
Paper Asian Crisis The crisis began in Thailand in July 1997 and spread to Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, then to Hong Kong, Korea and Japan. Financial systems in Thailand, Korea and Japan all came under intense strain, but nowhere as destructively as in Indonesia, which by early 1998 had become the worst-affected victim.
Asian Essay Research Paper After nearly thirty
Asian Essay, Research Paper After nearly thirty years of great economic growth many Asian countries are in recession due to many bad business decisions. The Asian financial crisis caused the value of Asian currency fall 50-60 percent, stock markets to decline by 40 percent, property values to drop, and banks to close.
Asian Crisis Essay Research Paper The continuing
Asian Crisis Essay, Research Paper The continuing Asian economic crisis that began in mid-1997 ranks as Asia’s second biggest event since World War II. The crisis suddenly halted the region’s unprecedented three decades of rapid economic growth.
Asian Crisis Essay Research Paper Asian Crisis
Asian Crisis Essay, Research Paper Asian Crisis The financial crisis that erupted in Asia in mid-1997 has led to sharp declines in the currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices of a number of Asian countries. It is hard to understand what these declines will actually do to the world market. This decline is expected to halve the rate of world growth in 1998 from the four percent that was projected pre-crisis to an estimated outcome of about 2 percent.