Arguments and Premises

Good arguments are at the heart of critical thinking. The ability to construct and evaluate arguments is essential for making good decisions, solving problems, and communicating effectively. In this lecture, we will discuss the basics of arguments and premises, and how they are used to construct effective arguments. What is an argument? An argument is a set of statements that are used to persuade someone to accept a conclusion. Arguments consist of two main parts: premises and a conclusion. Premises are the reasons or evidence used to support the conclusion. What are premises? Premises are statements that provide evidence or reasons for the conclusion of an argument. Premises can be factual or hypothetical, and they must be relevant and reliable to support the conclusion. A good argument will have premises that are clear, accurate, and complete. What is a conclusion? The conclusion is the statement that the premises support. It is the main point that the argument is trying to make. A good c…