CGSC170 Lecture 4: CGSC170 arguments and validity
11 May 2017
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Argument: an argument is a proposition or set of propositions used to support a conclusion. Premises (p): the premises of an argument offer reasons for thinking that the conclusion is true. Conclusion (c): the conclusion of an argument is the proposition that one is trying to defend. : premise 1 (p1): all humans are mammals. Premise 2 (p2): fred adams is a human. A good argument is more than just a convincing argument. A good argument is persuasive, has true premises, and premises are related in right way to conclusion. Two features of a good argument: the premises must be true. Can be true by definition (ex: pythagorean theorem) Can be broadly accepted, substantiated by science, or agreed upon by culture: the truth of the premises must provide solid reasons in explaining how the premise is true. Three types of arguments: deductive argument: aims to prove that the truth of the conclusion necessarily follows from the truth of the premises.
