(Syllogisms) Arguments: premises and conclusions

​

Do all types of passages work as arguments? Not really, As a result of this, it is something we need to learn about, it is important to distinguish between arguments and other passages or groups of statements that are not arguments. This is a matter of focusing simply on whether the group of statements are intended as an argument… if it is a good or bad argument, that part comes later. The best way to determine whether a group of statements is an argument is by using common sense to see what is going on in the passage: Is there an attempt at persuasion? Is there a conclusion? and if so, what is it? Secondly, are there reasons given in support of the conclusion, are there premise(s)?

​When an argument is presented, the arguer is making two claims; these claims may be explicit or merely implied, but they must be there. One is the factual claim, the claim that the premises given are in fact true, and the other the claim of inference, the claim that the premises are connected to the conclusion in such a way that they prove or support it. This inferential relationship between the premises and the conclusion is the main point of this. Next time you give an argument check yourself and see that you are also making these two claims. You will be! What would it mean to give someone a reason to believe something if you didn't intend for that person to think the reason was a true statement? (I don't necessarily mean that you think it's a true statement --you could be lying– but they must think that you think it is for the process of giving a reason to make sense).

​ 

Similarly, with the claim of inference the claim that the premise has bearing on the conclusion, what would it mean to give a reason for something if it were clear to everyone involved that you don't see any relationship between the premise and the conclusion? A good method for determining that a passage is not an argument is to recognize what it is instead. There are nine different types of passages that resemble arguments at first glance but are actually something quite different. Pay special attention in your reading to the differences between conditional statements and arguments and explanations and arguments.

1. A warning does not give any reasons

   ​

2. No reasons given.

3. Lacks of suppor​ting ideas.

4. ​There is no inferential relationship.

   ​

​

1) WARNING

​

2) PIECE OF ADVICE

​

3) ​STATEMENT OF BELIEF OR OPINION

​

4)LOOSELY ASSOCIATED STATEMENTS​