An argument is a process of presenting reasons and evidence in support of a belief, idea, or theory, with the intention of persuading others to accept or agree with it. An argument often involves a discussion or debate in which different viewpoints or perspectives are presented and critically analyzed, with the goal of arriving at a logical and well-supported conclusion.
At its core, an argument is a way of using logic and evidence to convince others that a particular claim or assertion is true or valid. This involves presenting a clear and well-defined thesis or proposition, and then providing supporting evidence and reasoning to back up this claim. The process of constructing and presenting an argument involves carefully considering and evaluating different sources of information and evidence, organizing and synthesizing this information in a logical and coherent manner, and communicating the argument in a clear and concise way.
In order to be effective, an argument must be based on sound reasoning and evidence, and must be free of logical fallacies or flaws. It is important for the person making the argument to consider and address any potential counterarguments or objections to their position, and to anticipate and respond to potential criticisms or challenges from others.
Overall, the definition of argument can be summarized as a process of presenting and defending a belief or position through the use of logical reasoning and evidence, with the goal of convincing others to accept or agree with it.
What Is an Argument?
The prefix Counterarguments are most commonly found in legal settings and debates, when each counterargument in an attempt to persuade the jury that the person did not commit the crime. Understanding Arguments Leads to Evaluating Arguments The ability to recognize arguments in everyday life is one of the first steps in developing critical thinking skills. They were always getting into arguments about politics. Counterargument: You can only control what your team's outcome is. It is, however, simple to turn this list into an argument.
Persuade Definition & Meaning
The statement that the arguer tries to prove is called the conclusion. What Makes a Successful Argument? If you accept the premises as true, you have good grounds for accepting the conclusion 'The job description is inadequate' is true. George Seward, the head physician of the asylum, though Seward is a caricature of male pomposity, an endlessly mansplaining straw man set up only to be knocked down. Premise 2: Sam is a human. Example 5: Premise: If it rains, then my yard is wet. Balsamic vinaigrette is the best dressing because it is healthier than ranch dressing and has a better flavor. An argument usually arises from a disagreement between two persons, each of whom advances facts supporting his or her own point of view.
Counterargument Definition & Meaning
They made a compelling argument for our participation. Counterarguments typically occur when there are at least two opposing sides, but you can make a counterargument against yourself. Now we have an argument. It is rare to have an argument where inferential claims play no role. If the claim is supported, the argument is successful; if the claim is not supported, the argument fails. The argument we have produced in this way is a good one, because the conclusion follows from the reasons stated on its behalf.
Definition and Examples of Conclusions in Arguments
Let us accept, for the sake of argument, that she is right. When Rick states those reasons, he is supplying premises that support the conclusion—his claim that Ben is an American. All we have to do is to add the single word 'therefore': Socrates is a man. An attorney may begin to develop an argument in the West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Herrick, Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments, 3rd ed. Example 4: Premise 1: If it rained, then my yard is wet.
Argument definition and meaning
Recent Examples on the Web But again, that's a straw man—no one was arguing that backcountry streams were the main source of Giardia infections. If you cannot do that, then it is reasonable to suspect that something is wrong. Conclusion: Therefore, my yard is wet. Merely making the above statements do not constitute an argument, no matter how often one repeats the assertions. Counterarguments are usually used to show a different point of view or the flip side of an argument. There are certain expressions in English that often but not always mark a conclusion.
Argument
. In some such cases the path leads to the wrong conclusion, and in these cases the Douglas Walton, Argumentation Methods for Artificial Intelligence in Law. The word 'therefore' converts these sentences into an argument by signaling that the statement following it is a conclusion and the statement or statements that come before it are offered as reasons on behalf of this conclusion. But there are also standard forms for inductive reasoning. Without an inferential claim, there would be no clear connection between the premises and the conclusion.
Straw man Definition & Meaning
This makes it hard to evaluate. The logicians define it more scientifically to be a means, which by its connexion between two extremes establishes a relation between them. This is the purpose of an argument: to offer reasons and evidence for the purpose of establishing the truth value of a proposition, which can mean either establishing that the proposition is true or establishing that the proposition is false. When offering an argument, you are offering a series of related statements which represent an attempt to support that assertion — to give others good reasons to believe that what you are asserting is true rather than false. Conclusion: Therefore, Ben is an American. It doesn't even list the specific tasks that should be performed, and it doesn't say how my perfomance will be evaluated. They settled an argument that started in class.