PPT: Structure of Arguments

 Page 1


Structure of 
Arguments
Page 2


Structure of 
Arguments
Introduction
1
Knowledge Made 
Explicit
Newton's apple 
story shows how 
implicit knowledge 
becomes explicit 
through reasoning.
2
Justification 
Required
Arguments need 
objective 
justification that all 
rational individuals 
can agree upon.
3
Structure of Arguments
An argument is a connected series of 
statements with premises leading to a 
conclusion.
Page 3


Structure of 
Arguments
Introduction
1
Knowledge Made 
Explicit
Newton's apple 
story shows how 
implicit knowledge 
becomes explicit 
through reasoning.
2
Justification 
Required
Arguments need 
objective 
justification that all 
rational individuals 
can agree upon.
3
Structure of Arguments
An argument is a connected series of 
statements with premises leading to a 
conclusion.
Identifying Arguments
Premise Signals
"Because," "due to," "as 
indicated by," and 
"owing to" signal that a 
premise is being 
provided.
Conclusion Signals
"Therefore," 
"consequently," "infer 
that," and "hence" 
indicate a conclusion 
is being made.
Example
Argument: "The internet is a good invention." 
Premises: "Source of endless information" and "hub 
of entertainment."
Page 4


Structure of 
Arguments
Introduction
1
Knowledge Made 
Explicit
Newton's apple 
story shows how 
implicit knowledge 
becomes explicit 
through reasoning.
2
Justification 
Required
Arguments need 
objective 
justification that all 
rational individuals 
can agree upon.
3
Structure of Arguments
An argument is a connected series of 
statements with premises leading to a 
conclusion.
Identifying Arguments
Premise Signals
"Because," "due to," "as 
indicated by," and 
"owing to" signal that a 
premise is being 
provided.
Conclusion Signals
"Therefore," 
"consequently," "infer 
that," and "hence" 
indicate a conclusion 
is being made.
Example
Argument: "The internet is a good invention." 
Premises: "Source of endless information" and "hub 
of entertainment."
Arguments 3 Types of Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning
Supports a conclusion with certainty. Moves 
from general principles to specific instances.
Inductive Reasoning
Supports a conclusion with probability. Moves 
from specific observations to general 
principles.
Page 5


Structure of 
Arguments
Introduction
1
Knowledge Made 
Explicit
Newton's apple 
story shows how 
implicit knowledge 
becomes explicit 
through reasoning.
2
Justification 
Required
Arguments need 
objective 
justification that all 
rational individuals 
can agree upon.
3
Structure of Arguments
An argument is a connected series of 
statements with premises leading to a 
conclusion.
Identifying Arguments
Premise Signals
"Because," "due to," "as 
indicated by," and 
"owing to" signal that a 
premise is being 
provided.
Conclusion Signals
"Therefore," 
"consequently," "infer 
that," and "hence" 
indicate a conclusion 
is being made.
Example
Argument: "The internet is a good invention." 
Premises: "Source of endless information" and "hub 
of entertainment."
Arguments 3 Types of Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning
Supports a conclusion with certainty. Moves 
from general principles to specific instances.
Inductive Reasoning
Supports a conclusion with probability. Moves 
from specific observations to general 
principles.
Deductive Reasoning
1
Definition
An inferential process that supports a conclusion with certainty.
2
Example
Premise 1: All men are mortal. Premise 2: I am a man. Conclusion: So I am mortal.
3
Characteristics
Deterministic, scientific, and deals with whole classes. Nothing is excluded.