Logic and argument
An argument is not a fight
Most people hear "argument" and picture a fight.
In logic, the word means something different.
An argument gives reasons to back up a claim.
Which of these is an argument? Sort each one.
Tap an item, then a bucket
The claim you want to prove is the conclusion.
The reasons that back it up are the premises.
Put these in order: the two reasons first, then the claim they lead to.
Put these in order
- 1So it will rain today.
- 2The wind picked up.
- 3The sky is dark.
“An argument is a group of statements, one or more of which (the premises) are claimed to provide support for, or reasons to believe, one of the others (the conclusion).”
Patrick J. Hurley, A Concise Introduction to Logic
A good argument is more like a calm back-and-forth.
Each side asks questions and offers reasons.
“Parties take turns asking questions, offering replies, and offering reasons to support a claim.”
Douglas N. Walton, Dialog Theory for Critical Argumentation
"They argued for an hour" means they were fighting.Tap to reveal
Not in logic. People who argue can stay calm and trade reasons. The word means giving reasons, not raising voices. That is why "argument" sounds like a fight but is not one.
Thinking Traps showed reasoning that breaks.
This module shows how good reasoning is built.