Sociologist: Some people argue that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of Br...
Motunrayo-Bamgbose-MartinsDecember 16, 2020
Help with reasoning of the argument
I used the structure of the argument to get the right answer. However, I can't re-explain this argument to someone else. I don't understand how the authors response actually undermines the critic's argument. So, basically, I know it undermines it but don't actually understand how it does.
Please explain just so I can get the argument
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Thanks for the question! So let’s break down what this argument is saying, since it is a pretty complicated one.
First, we have “some people” They argue that capital punishment for theft was very important for the labor discipline of British capitalism.
Then we have critics of “some people.” The critics say that more people were executed before England industrialized than after. Note: what does this assume? “Some people” are talking about capitalism, but the critics come in talking about industrialization. These two groups are facially discussing different topics. But of course, they’re talking about the same thing: the critics assume that industrialization and capitalism are the same thing.
Now we have the author’s view, who is critiquing the critics. And he says that the critics’ assumption is wrong; capitalism and industrialization are not the same thing.
So what does saying capitalism and industrialization aren’t the same thing do? It says the assumption is wrong, and that’s why (E) is correct.
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.
mjordan23March 3, 2021
Can someone please explain the difference between the answer choices A,B, and E. They are each very similar and it was difficult to distinguish the difference and subsequent answer choice.
tewana.leaurenJune 15, 2021
Yeah I would like a more clear distinction between A and E. Is it wording?
