The process of argument analysis would be considerably more straightforward if individuals consistently presented their arguments in a standardized manner, with premises and conclusions distinctly identified. However, this is not the norm in everyday communication. At times, the conclusion of an argument is readily apparent, but there are instances when it is not. The conclusion may be concealed or implied, necessitating a reconstruction of the argument based on the provided information. This can be a challenging task.
In this article, Logic and Argumentation - part 3, we will delve into some principles that can aid us in identifying premises and conclusions, and in transforming natural language arguments into a standard format. This is a crucial critical thinking skill in general.
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Don't forget to check out our first article on Logic and Argumentation - part 1 HERE and part 2 HERE.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────To aid in the development of this skill, several online platforms offer courses that focus on logical thinking:
Educative offers a course titled “How to learn logical reasoning for coding and beyond” which focuses on logical reasoning in the context of programming.
DataCamp has a course called “Statistical Thinking in Python (Part 1)” which includes a section on logical reasoning.
International Open Academy provides a course called “Boost Problem Solving Skills: Learn Critical Thinking, Logical Reasoning & Solving Business Problems” which covers critical thinking and logical reasoning.
Skillshare offers several courses related to logical thinking, such as “Boost Problem Solving Skills: Learn Critical Thinking, Logical Reasoning & Solving Business Problems” and "Logic In Philosophy: Logical Fallacies And Common Mistakes".
Each of these courses has its own unique approach to teaching logical thinking, and the best one for you would depend on your specific learning goals and preferences. We recommend checking out the course descriptions and reviews to see which one aligns best with your needs.
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Arguments in natural language are typically not presented in standard form, so we need to understand how to extract the logical structure from the given language. To do this, we scrutinize each claim in the argument and ask ourselves: Is this the main point that the arguer is trying to convey, or is it being offered as a reason to accept some other claim? A claim that expresses the main point is the conclusion, while the claims that function as reasons to accept the main point are the premises.
Lastly, premises and conclusions are often signposted by the presence of indicator words. Paying attention to these indicator words can significantly simplify the task of reconstructing an argument. These online courses can provide further guidance and practice in honing these critical thinking skills.
Arguments in natural language are typically not presented in standard form, so we need to understand how to extract the logical structure from the given language. To do this, we scrutinize each claim in the argument and ask ourselves: Is this the main point that the arguer is trying to convey, or is it being offered as a reason to accept some other claim? A claim that expresses the main point is the conclusion, while the claims that function as reasons to accept the main point are the premises.
Lastly, premises and conclusions are often signposted by the presence of indicator words. Paying attention to these indicator words can significantly simplify the task of reconstructing an argument. These online courses can provide further guidance and practice in honing these critical thinking skills.
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The process of argument analysis would be considerably more straightforward if individuals consistently presented their arguments in a standardized manner, with premises and conclusions distinctly identified. However, this is not the norm in everyday communication. At times, the conclusion of an argument is readily apparent, but there are instances when it is not. The conclusion may be concealed or implied, necessitating a reconstruction of the argument based on the provided information. This can be a challenging task.
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Consider the following argument as an example: "Smoking should be banned because it poses significant health risks." In this instance, "Smoking should be banned" is the conclusion, and "it poses significant health risks" is the premise. We discern this by actively reading for the argument, questioning what claim we are being asked to accept, and what other claims are being offered as reasons to accept that claim. We also acknowledge the logical significance of the word "because," which serves as an indicator word that reveals the logical relationship of the claims that precede or follow it.
When we rewrite this argument in standard form, it appears as follows: "Smoking poses significant health risks. Therefore, smoking should be banned." At this juncture, we could initiate a discussion on whether this is a sound argument or not. However, the primary focus of this tutorial is on identifying premises and conclusions and comprehending the logical structure of an argument.
There are several key words or phrases that indicate a conclusion, such as "therefore," "so," "hence," "thus," "it follows that," "as a result," "consequently," among others. Similarly, there are words and phrases that indicate premises, like "since," "if," "because," "from which it follows," "for these reasons," and others.
In certain cases, arguments lack any indicator words. In these situations, you must rely on your ability to analyze the context and read for the argument. Consider the following more complex argument: "We must decrease our carbon footprint. Currently, global warming is accelerating at an alarming rate, and we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow down this increase." In this case, the conclusion is "We must decrease our carbon footprint."
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In summary, arguments in natural language are typically not presented in standard form, so we need to understand how to extract the logical structure from the given language. To do this, we scrutinize each claim in the argument and ask ourselves: Is this the main point that the arguer is trying to convey, or is it being offered as a reason to accept some other claim? A claim that expresses the main point is the conclusion, while the claims that function as reasons to accept the main point are the premises.
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