Lecture One

Question 1

What is an argument?

Answer 1

A specific attempt to persuade using reasons. Reasons attempt to justify doing or thinking something.

Question 2

How do conclusions, premises and arguments relate?

Answer 2

An argument is a statement with reasons for accepting the statement.
A conclusion is a statement for which the reasons are given.
Premises are reasons for accepting the conclusion.

Question 3

What is rhetoric?

Answer 3

A verbal or written attempt to persuade someone to believe or do something. Reasons are not given but the choice of words attempts to persuade.

Question 4

What are statements?

Answer 4

An expression of something someone believes to be true.

Question 5

What is a proposition?

Answer 5

The meaning of a statement. A proposition can be expressed the same way with different words. The words used can have a different rhetorical force.

E. G: “2000 refugees attempted to get in the euro tunnel”
“2000 migrants swarmed the euro tunnel”

Question 6

What is implacature?

Answer 6

Not stating every claim you make in an argument explicitly. They are implied, communicated non explicitly.

Question 7

What is a basic way to analyse an argument?

Answer 7

When someone tries to communicate something:
Is it argument or rhetoric? (are reasons given)
If they use an argument what is it?
What is the claim they want you to accept. (conclusion)
What are their reasons (premises)