Cause/Effect

Cause/Effect

• So today we’re going to begin thinking about making a causal argument.

• And to start us off, let’s begin with a question:• What is your favorite children’s book?

http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=SyBtwe9Ktik

Cause/Effect

• What do we learn about causality from our mouse tale?

• Ever since we were kids, we’ve been learning about causality:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jCr8QSGYss

Cause/Effect

• Questions of causality don’t end with childhood.

• Consider the news• What claims do you see

for causality in today’s news?

• http://www.cnn.com/

Cause/Effect

• But what are some of the challenges in determining cause/effect?

• Let’s chase back to our mouse tail, asking, “What else is needed in order for a mouse to get a cookie?”

Cause/Effect

• One of the main challenges we face in making a causal argument is to remember the complexity inherent to events.

Cause/Effect

• To work through the concept of complexity, consider the following picture, asking, “What caused this?”

• Write for a minute about what you think caused the event

• (I don’t know = not an acceptable answer)

Cause/Effect

• Herald of Free Enterprise• A ferry operating in the

English channel• Capsized on March 6, 1987• 193 people died• But why?• http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=jz2jpLO-bYw

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Herald_of_Free_Enterprise_WBG.png

Cause/Effect

• For this unit, we’re going to make causal arguments

• But as we do, let’s keep in mind that events are not caused by one cause

• Causes and effects are rooted in deep complexity