Arguments in Philosophy

 

Arguments that we usually come across in life are in the form of quarrels and disputes. These experiences have brainwashed our minds and have given the impression that arguments are meant for only fights and disputes. Do arguments only stand for quarrels and disputes? If the answer is yes it means you have tincture knowledge on this area. 

What is an argument?

Arguments in philosophy can be defined as a set of statements, sentences or propositions called premises that intend to give reasons for some kind of a statement, sentence or proposition called the conclusion. 

In simple terms , an argument is a connected series of statements including at least one premise, intended to demonstrate another statement which is the conclusion.

Purpose of arguments

Arguments is at the heart of philosophy as it plays a major role role in its purpose . In philosophy , arguments help us to more closely look into a particular problem and examine its truths. 

The two exemplary purposes of arguments are ;

1.  Justification 
2.  Explanation

Justification vs. Explanation

Both justification and explanation are equally important uses of arguments. Both these terms for some would give an impression with same function .However ,these two terms have unique functions.

• Justification shows that there are reasons to believe in the conclusion of an argument.

• Explanations answer why or how something or reasons happened or tries expand more on the reasons to make them sensible.

Standard form of an argument

Arguments as composed of its premises or reasons and conclusions. Standard form enables us to orderly organize the statements in the argument as premises and conclusions. It is more like an analysis of an argument.

Following depicts an argument organized in the standard form.

Understanding the language is a basic requirement for the analysis of an argument. The argument markers , which are words or phrases , play a major role in distinguishing premises and the conclusions . Premise markers and conclusion markers helps in identification of premises and conclusion respectively in an argument. It must be kept in mind that argument markers do not always function as argument markers due to the various meanings brought out from them in  language.

Premise markers: because, since , for , as , for the reason that

Conclusion markers: therefore,  hence , consequently ,  as a result, thus , then

Types of arguments

The  two main types of argument are ;

1. Deductive arguments 
2. Inductive arguments

Deductive arguments are arguments for which its premises provide logically conclusive support for its conclusion. For example ,"All research textbooks contain a chapter on sampling. This book is a research textbook. Therefore this book also contains a chapter on sampling." In this argument its premises support the conclusion with certainty therefore it qualifies as a deductive argument. 

Inductive arguments are arguments for which its premises provide probable support (not conclusive )for its conclusion. For example,  
"Every examined research textbook contains a chapter on sampling. Therefore, all research text books contain a chapter on sampling."
In this argument its premise doesn't necessarily support  its conclusion .Therefore, it is an inductive argument.

Attributes of an argument 

Validity and soundness are the two attributes of an argument.

• Validity denotes the logical strength of an argument (form of the argument but not the truth of premises) .
• Soundness denotes the truth of the premises and the logical strength of the argument.

Examples:

(1) "All cats are dogs. All dogs are birds .Therefore , all cats are birds."

When considering this argument it is a deductive argument because premises lead to the conclusion. This argument is valid because there is a logical strength in the argument. However the premises are not true so the argument is unsound.

(2) "All dogs are mammals .All mammals are animals. Therefore , all dogs are animals."

In this deductive argument all the premises are true and also have logical strength .Therefore ,the argument is valid and sound.

(3) Ann is either tall or short. So she is short.

This argument does not have logical strength .So the argument is invalid.

It is clearly visible that understanding arguments is required when learning philosophy. The skills in building up arguments which are valid and sound must be practiced by students learning philosophy.