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The Basic Elements of Arguments

The document outlines the basic elements of arguments. It defines an argument as a set of claims where one claim is supported by the others. The key elements are the premise, which provides evidence or reasons to support a conclusion. The conclusion is the statement that logically follows from the premise(s). The logical connection between the premise and conclusion is called the inference. The objective of an argument is to persuade an audience through reason alone. Establishing credibility is important by being knowledgeable, of good character, and having good intentions. Arguments can be identified by having at least two statements where one statement logically supports the other.

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152 views3 pages

The Basic Elements of Arguments

The document outlines the basic elements of arguments. It defines an argument as a set of claims where one claim is supported by the others. The key elements are the premise, which provides evidence or reasons to support a conclusion. The conclusion is the statement that logically follows from the premise(s). The logical connection between the premise and conclusion is called the inference. The objective of an argument is to persuade an audience through reason alone. Establishing credibility is important by being knowledgeable, of good character, and having good intentions. Arguments can be identified by having at least two statements where one statement logically supports the other.

Uploaded by

Malote Elimanco Alaba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Basic Elements of Arguments

I. The Fundamentals of Logic:

Definition - 'Logic' can be defined as the philosophical study and analysis of arguments.

What IS an argument?

Definition - An 'argument' is a set of claims, one of which is meant to be supported by


the others.

A. The Basic Elements of an Argument:


1. The Premise - why should your assertion should be accepted?

Definition - a 'premise' is any statement which acts as the reason or


evidence to support a conclusion.

a. Evidence: facts, statistics, data, authoritative opinion.


b. Appeal: the interpretation of evidence
2. The Conclusion - the proven form of the thesis, or what follows from, or
is supported by the evidence.

Definition - a 'conclusion' is any statement which is supported by a


premise or premises.

Example:
Self defense is a basic human right. - premise
Therefore, everyone should carry a handgun. - conclusion

B. The Connection between the Elements: The Inference

Definition - The logical connection that links a premise and conclusion is an


'inference'.

II. The Object of an Argument: Persuading Your Audience, Through Reason Alone -
A. Credibility - why should anyone believe me?
1. You should be knowledgeable about the subject
2. You should be of good moral character
3. You should have good intentions
B. Establishing Credibility
1. Do thorough and careful research.
2. Adopt, as much as possible, an impartial disposition.
3. Always give a well organized presentation.
III. How to Recognize an Argument:
A. An argument is a set of at least two statements one of which (the premise) must
logically support the other (the conclusion).
Definition - a 'statement' is a sentence which is either true or false (i.e., that has a
truth-value).

NOTE: There are many kinds of sentences that are not statements.
1. advice or warnings
2. questions
3. imperatives (i.e., commands)
4. opinions or beliefs
5. illustrations and expositions

Definition - a 'proposition' is the meaningful content of a statement.

B. Two Kinds of Inferences:


1. Explicit Inferences - are indicated by signs
a. Premise Indicators:

'Since’, 'Because’, 'For’, 'Seeing that’, 'The reason being’, 'is


implied’ by, etc.

b. Conclusion Indicators:

'So’, 'Thus’, 'Therefore’, 'Hence’, 'Consequently’, 'In conclusion’,


etc.

2. Implicit Inferences - are not indicated by signs


C. Common Statement Forms:
1. Conditional - the 'if . . . then’ statement:

If it's cloudy outside, then it will rain today.

a. Antecedent - what comes before


b. Consequent - what comes after

NOTE:
Necessary condition - If you were not exposed to the influenza virus, you
will not get sick.

Sufficient condition - If you let go of the hammer, it will fall to the


ground.
2. Conjunctive - the 'both . . . and’ statement:

My pet penguin is a bird, and from Antarctica.

3. Disjunctive - the 'either . . . or’ statement:

a. absolute disjunction - one or the other, but not both

Lucy is either a cat or a dog.

b. inclusive disjunction - one or both

Lucy is either a cat or a mammal.

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