Consider this scenario: For many students, teacher evaluations are a moment of retaliation. Those who received grades they feel are unwarranted will often blame the teacher’s poor instruction or grading methods for their failure. One student, Joshua, defends the teaching style of Dr. Deming. “I thought Dr. Deming was fantastic. He was always engaging and willing to take some extra time when I needed it,” he explains. Tara, who received a D- on her final paper, disagrees; “If he is such a great professor, then why did I do so poorly this semester? I worked so hard! If it’s not his fault, I don’t know who to blame. Joshua, you can’t possibly make me believe that Dr. Deming knows what he’s talking about.” A third student, Jenna, joins the conversation, having received a grade she likely deserved; “I don’t think Dr. Deming was a bad professor. He gave me a C, but honestly I didn’t expect much better than that. Anyway, forget Dr. Deming—I can’t believe that girl tripped in the hallway in front of everyone!”

Based on the scenario, determine whether Dr. Deming deserves favorable evaluations. Respond to the following questions in your initial post:

-What premises might logically support this claim?
-Are there any patterns you can discern from the different students’ responses to Dr. Deming’s teaching? If so, explain.
-What premises might be psychologically relevant but not logically relevant?
-What is wrong with stating premises that are only psychologically relevant to their conclusion?
-By what criteria are you able to determine fallacy forms within this scenario?

Part two

Consider this case study: After graduating from college with a degree in science, Andy finds a solid job in his profession, gets married, and has two sons. Twelve years later, he moves to another company promising him steady advancement within its managerial ranks. A devoted family man, Andy admires his wife’s dedication to raising their boys. But he also observes that his sons, approaching their teen years, benefit greatly from his fatherly friendship and counsel—especially as they approach what he and his wife realize could prove to be a difficult transitional period in their upbringing. So, he has made a commitment to spend plenty of time with them, playing baseball and helping with their schoolwork. But he also loves his work, and does well at it. It has become apparent that to advance rapidly up the managerial ranks, he needs an MBA. A nearby university offers the degree in an evening-and-weekend program that would allow him to continue fulltime employment but would soak up his free time for the next several years and throw most of the family activities into his wife’s hands.

Assume of Andy’s perspective within this scenario. In keeping with Andy’s point of view, address the following:

Define the concept of reasonableness.
-Where should Andy focus his attention? Why?
-Why do you believe someone like Andy is capable of incorporating nonrational mental processes into his critical thought?
– How are we able to engage in this intense level of cognition?
-In your view, what rational and emotional principles are at work?