Task 2 - Argument mapping

Question 1

an argument tree includes three key components

Answer 1

1. Conclusion (Main claim, Contention or Position)
2. Arguments or Premises Pro
3. Arguments or Premises Contra

Question 2

Contention

Answer 2

an idea that somebody claims is true

Question 3

Reason

Answer 3

the evidence for the contention

Question 4

Objection

Answer 4

seeks to furnish evidence against the contention

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

a contention supported by a reason or refuted by a counterargument

Question 6

Single argument

Answer 6

it consists of a contention which is justified using a single premise, or undermined using a single objection/counterargument

Question 7

Multiple or Composite argument

Answer 7

if an argument includes more than one reason or objection

Question 8

Convergent argument

Answer 8

Two premises supporting a conclusion separately and independently from one another

Question 9

Chain of reasoning

Answer 9

a contention that can operate as the premise for a conclusion at a higher level

Question 10

Co-Premises

Answer 10

when several premises together form a source of evidence for a conclusion

• aka dependent premises
• it does not support the contention independently from the other premise
• can also be seen as a contention that bridges the logical gap between a premise and conclusion – major and minor premises

Question 11

Dependent premises

Answer 11

another term for co-premises

- arguments containing dependent premises are also called syllogisms

Question 12

Minor premise

Answer 12

it points at an implicit assumption needed to justify the conclusion

Question 13

Golden rule

Answer 13

each single argument really consists of two or more co-premises

• this rule assumes that you need at least a co-premise to bridge the gap between the major premise and the conclusion
• the rule invited you to identify minor assumptions

Question 14

Rabbit rule

Answer 14

each significant term that is part of the conclusion should also be part of one of the premises
- it ensures that there is a connection between the premise and the contention (p.24)

Question 15

Holding hands rule

Answer 15

if a term forms part of the premises but not of the contention, it should also form part of the other premise
- it ensures that a co-premise has a connection with another co-premise (p.24)

Question 16

Counterarguments

Answer 16

two arguments that counter each other (the evidence provided in favour of the claim versus the evidence provided against the claim

Question 17

Dispute

Answer 17

A claim to which several reasons and objections are linked

Question 18

If…then

Answer 18

constructions must always be represented as single claims in the argument
- these types of warrants are crucial parts of two important logical forms of reasoning modus ponies and modus tollens

Question 19

Warrant

Answer 19

a justification why a particular premise provides support for a particular claim