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An argument is a series of sentences, statements, or propositions some of which are called premises and one is the conclusion. [1] The purpose of an argument is to give reasons for one's conclusion via justification, explanation, and/or persuasion.
Argument terminology used in logic. In logic, an argument is a set of related statements expressing the premises (which may consists of non-empirical evidence, empirical evidence or may contain some axiomatic truths) and a necessary conclusion based on the relationship of the premises.
An argument, more fully a premise–conclusion argument, is a two-part system composed of premises and conclusion. An argument is valid if and only if its conclusion is a consequence of its premises. Every premise set has infinitely many consequences each giving rise to a valid argument.
This support comes in degrees: strong arguments make the conclusion very likely, as is the case for well-researched issues in the empirical sciences. [ 1 ] [ 16 ] Some theorists give a very wide definition of logical reasoning that includes its role as a cognitive skill responsible for high-quality thinking.
Deductive arguments are evaluated in terms of their validity and soundness. An argument is valid if it is impossible for its premises to be true while its conclusion is false. In other words, the conclusion must be true if the premises are true. An argument can be “valid” even if one or more of its premises are false.
An argument that provides probable support for its conclusion, as opposed to deductive arguments which provide conclusive support. inductive proof A proof method used in mathematics to prove statements about all natural numbers or other well-ordered sets, based on the principle of induction. inductive step
An argument map or argument diagram is a visual representation of the structure of an argument.An argument map typically includes all the key components of the argument, traditionally called the conclusion and the premises, also called contention and reasons. [1]
Consider the modal account in terms of the argument given as an example above: All frogs are green. Kermit is a frog. Therefore, Kermit is green. The conclusion is a logical consequence of the premises because we can not imagine a possible world where (a) all frogs are green; (b) Kermit is a frog; and (c) Kermit is not green.