Argument (logic)

The word argument is used in a special sense in logic, to mean a set of propositions, one of which, called the conclusion, is held to be supported by the others, or the premises (sometimes spelled premisses). An argument in this sense need not be part of a heated verbal dispute or disagreement. Arguments are perhaps the most essential element of reasoning.

A common example of an argument is this:

All men are mortal.

Socrates is a man.

Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

There is one problem with this as an example of an argument, however: since everyone already believes that Socrates is mortal, one might get the idea from this example that arguments are used to formalize things that everyone believes already. Generally, the function of argumentation is to give logical support, and hence credibility, to claims that others might otherwise be inclined to doubt. Nevertheless, anything that exhibits the logical form of an argument is usually regarded as an argument.