1.2 Structure and Types of Arguments
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Arguments are the building blocks of logical reasoning. They consist of premises supporting a , and come in various structures like simple, complex, convergent, linked, and serial. Understanding these structures helps us analyze and construct effective arguments.
Recognizing argument components is crucial for critical thinking. and signal the role of statements within an argument. By identifying these elements, we can better evaluate the strength and validity of arguments in various contexts.
Argument Structure
Components of an Argument
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- Premise
- A statement or proposition used as evidence to support a conclusion
- Can be explicitly stated or implied
- Arguments typically have one or more premises
- Conclusion
- The main claim or point an argument is trying to establish
- Supported by the premises
- Usually comes at the end of an argument, but can sometimes be stated first
Types of Argument Structures
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- Consists of a single premise and a single conclusion
- Straightforward and easy to identify (All dogs are mammals. Fido is a dog. Therefore, Fido is a mammal.)
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- Involves multiple premises and/or multiple conclusions
- Can include sub-arguments or intermediate conclusions that support the main conclusion
- Requires careful analysis to identify the relationships between the various components (Socrates is a man. All men are mortal. Socrates is wise. Therefore, Socrates is a wise, mortal being.)
Argument Types
Convergent Arguments
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- Each premise independently supports the conclusion
- If one premise is proven false or removed, the other premises can still support the conclusion
- Premises are not dependent on each other (John is a good leader because he is intelligent. John is also a good leader because he is compassionate.)
Linked Arguments
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- Premises work together to support the conclusion
- If one premise is proven false or removed, the entire argument falls apart
- Premises are interdependent and rely on each other (All mammals are warm-blooded. Whales are mammals. Therefore, whales are warm-blooded.)
Serial Arguments
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- Consists of a chain of arguments where the conclusion of one argument becomes a premise for the next
- Each sub-argument must be valid for the entire argument to be valid
- Allows for more complex reasoning and the establishment of intermediate conclusions (Socrates is a man. All men are mortal. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Socrates is wise. Therefore, Socrates is a wise, mortal being.)
Argument Indicators
Identifying Arguments through Indicator Words
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- Words or phrases that signal the presence of an argument or the relationship between premises and conclusions
- introduce premises (because, since, given that, as, for)
- Conclusion indicators introduce conclusions (therefore, thus, hence, so, consequently, as a result)
- Help identify the structure and components of an argument (John must be tired because he stayed up all night studying. Therefore, he will likely struggle to focus in class today.)
- Paying attention to indicator words
- Allows for easier identification and analysis of arguments
- Helps distinguish between premises and conclusions
- Not all arguments use indicator words, so it's important to also consider the context and logical relationships between statements
Key Terms to Review (10)
Complex Argument: A complex argument is an argument that contains multiple premises leading to a single conclusion, often involving sub-arguments or nested premises. This structure allows for more detailed reasoning and can demonstrate how various pieces of evidence interrelate to support the main conclusion. Understanding complex arguments helps in analyzing the depth of reasoning within discussions and debates, highlighting how various components contribute to the overall argument.
Conclusion: A conclusion is the statement or proposition that follows logically from the premises of an argument, serving as its endpoint and summarizing the reasoning provided. It plays a crucial role in determining the overall strength and effectiveness of arguments by showing what follows from the given premises.
Conclusion Indicators: Conclusion indicators are words or phrases that signal the presence of a conclusion in an argument. They help to identify the final statement or claim that the argument seeks to support, making it easier to distinguish between premises and conclusions. Recognizing these indicators is crucial for analyzing and constructing valid arguments effectively.
Convergent Argument: A convergent argument is a type of reasoning where multiple premises support a single conclusion, each providing independent evidence that leads to the same outcome. This structure allows for a stronger overall argument since if one premise is found to be weak, others still hold value in supporting the conclusion. In this way, the validity of the conclusion does not rely on any single premise, but rather the collective strength of all presented premises.
Indicator Words: Indicator words are specific terms or phrases that signal the presence of premises or conclusions within arguments. They help to identify the structure of reasoning by clarifying relationships between statements, allowing readers to understand whether a claim is being supported or refuted. Recognizing these words is essential for analyzing and constructing logical arguments effectively.
Linked Argument: A linked argument is a type of reasoning where the premises support the conclusion in such a way that they work together to establish a single conclusion. This structure is often characterized by the relationship between premises that, when combined, lead to a more robust and cohesive support for the conclusion. Understanding linked arguments is crucial for analyzing how different pieces of evidence can come together to reinforce a central point.
Premise: A premise is a statement or proposition that provides the foundation for an argument, serving as the evidence or reason that supports the conclusion. Understanding premises is essential for analyzing the structure of arguments, distinguishing between valid and invalid forms, and assessing the overall soundness and cogency of reasoning.
Premise Indicators: Premise indicators are words or phrases that signal the presence of premises in an argument, helping to identify the statements that provide support for a conclusion. These indicators serve as useful markers in analyzing the structure of arguments, distinguishing between premises and conclusions, which is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of reasoning.
Serial Argument: A serial argument is a type of argument where multiple premises are presented in a sequence, with each premise building on the last to support a conclusion. This structure allows for a cumulative effect where the strength of the overall argument increases as additional premises are added, creating a more persuasive and coherent case. Understanding this concept is key to analyzing how arguments are constructed and evaluated.
Simple Argument: A simple argument is a type of argument that consists of a single premise and a conclusion. This structure highlights the basic form of reasoning where one statement supports another, making it straightforward to evaluate its validity and soundness. Understanding simple arguments is essential for identifying more complex arguments, as they serve as the building blocks for intricate reasoning and logical discussions.