Argument (philosophy): Difference between revisions

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An '''argument''', in [[logic]] and [[philosophy]], may be defined in its most ordinary sense as a set of statements, one member of which is the ''conclusion,'' the other members being ''premises'' (or ''premisses'').  The premises are reasons intended to show that the conclusion is, or is probably, true.
An '''argument''', in [[logic]] and [[philosophy]], may be defined in its most ordinary sense as a set of statements, one of which (the ''conclusion'') is intended or purported to be supported by the others (the ''premises'' or ''premisses'').  The premises are reasons intended to show that the conclusion is, or is probably, true.


When an argument is presented to show that its conclusion is true (not just probably true), the argument is called ''deductive''.  When an argument is presented to show that its conclusion is ''probably'' true, the argument is called ''inductive''.
When an argument is presented to show that its conclusion is true (not just probably true), the argument is called ''deductive''.  When an argument is presented to show that its conclusion is ''probably'' true, the argument is called ''inductive''.

Revision as of 21:04, 8 November 2007

An argument, in logic and philosophy, may be defined in its most ordinary sense as a set of statements, one of which (the conclusion) is intended or purported to be supported by the others (the premises or premisses). The premises are reasons intended to show that the conclusion is, or is probably, true.

When an argument is presented to show that its conclusion is true (not just probably true), the argument is called deductive. When an argument is presented to show that its conclusion is probably true, the argument is called inductive.