Table 2 Argument schemes used in the posts about LK-99.
Category | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Expert Opinion | supports a claim based on the views of an expert. | “The verification committee of the Korean Society of Superconductivity and Cryogenics has concluded that it is not an ambient-pressure superconductor.” |
Analogy | draws a conclusion based on the similarity between the two situations. | “Just as nuclear development has critical implications for neighboring countries, the discovery of LK-99 is argued to have similarly far-reaching impacts for societies that prioritize scientific and technological advancement.” |
Cause to Effect | supports a claim using the relationship between cause and effect. | “It is positive in that it can maximize the transmission efficiency of power lines, reduce electricity costs, and decrease environmental pollution and carbon emissions by minimizing electrical losses.” |
Sign | draws a conclusion based on certain signs or evidence. | “The entire world was thrown into upheaval. Not only in Korea, but related stocks in the U.S. and China surged, and platforms like YouTube and online communities are experiencing an unprecedented surge in interest in science.” |
Example | draws a general conclusion through specific examples. | “It is based on the historical example of Einstein’s theory of relativity, which, despite lacking experimental evidence at the time of its announcement, was gradually accepted over time.” |
Popular Opinion | supports a claim based on what many people believe. | “Superconductor technology has limitless applications, not only in semiconductors but also in electric vehicle batteries and more. There are optimistic projections that, if Korea were to develop a room-temperature superconductor, the world’s wealth could gravitate toward Korea.” |
Consequences | judges the rightness or wrongness of an action or policy based on its consequences. | “This is because, if commercialized, it is a discovery expected to bring ground-breaking advancements to existing industries.” |
Commitment | justifies current actions based on previous promises or statements. | “The Ministry of Science and ICT formed a review committee consisting of seven external experts from six fields: broadcasting, law, management, accounting, technology, and audience.” |
Ignorance | claims something is true on the grounds that it has not been proven false. | “Because no decisive evidence has been presented to disprove LK-99’s potential as a room-temperature superconductor, some assert that it must, by default, be a valid breakthrough.” |
Values | supports a claim based on specific values or ethical principles. | “It is recognized as a discovery significant enough to create a quantum leap in the scientific and industrial sectors, drawing a great deal of research and attention.” |
