MEPX
Chapter 1 of 10All chapters
  1. 1What an argument is
  2. 2Validity and soundness
  3. 3If, then
  4. 4All, some, none
  5. 5Necessary and sufficient
  6. 6Deduction against induction
  7. 7Formal fallacies
  8. 8Informal fallacies
  9. 9Logic puzzles
  10. 10Using it in real arguments

Chapter 1 of 10

What an argument is

Premises, conclusion, structure.

The parts

An argument offers premises in support of a conclusion. Analysing one means separating those parts before judging anything, which is most of the work.

  • Words like therefore, so and hence mark the conclusion.
  • Because, since and given that mark premises.

Hidden premises

Most everyday arguments leave a step unstated. Making it explicit often reveals that the unstated step is the one being disputed.