Arguments in Critical Thinking

Identifying Arguments

Introduction

  • This video is a recap and introduction to arguments in critical thinking.
  • It corresponds to Tutorial Activity Week 4 Video & Worksheet.

Learning Outcomes

  • Recognize arguments in critical thinking.
  • Recognize the components of an argument.

Arguments in Critical Thinking

  • Critical thinking focuses on 'argument'.
  • Identifying arguments is vital.
  • Arguments are unavoidable.
  • Arguments help us decide, explain, predict, and persuade.

What is an Argument?

  • An argument is NOT just a quarrel, disagreement, breakdown in communication, or a difficult relationship.
  • In critical thinking, an argument means providing evidence or reasons to support a claim or disputed conclusion.
  • Critical Thinking focuses on identifying, evaluating, and giving reasons when constructing arguments.

What is an Argument in Critical Thinking?

  • An argument presents reasons to support a position or point of view (Cottrell, 2023).
  • If people support your reasons, they are more likely to be persuaded to your point of view.
  • Argument (Bassham et al., 2023): A group of statements intended to prove or support another statement.
  • An argument takes place when we attempt to provide reasons to support a claim.
  • An argument consists of two components: premises and conclusions.

Argument Components

  • Premise(s): Statements in an argument offered as evidence or reasons.
  • Conclusion: Statement that premises support or prove; why one should accept the conclusion.

Argument Example

  • Premise 1: Students who study hard usually pass the examinations.
  • Premise 2: I want to pass my examinations.
  • Conclusion: Therefore, I should study hard.

Argument Example 2

  • Premise 1: Murder means depriving a person’s life.
  • Premise 2: When you abort a baby, you are depriving the baby of his or her life.
  • Conclusion: Hence, a murder is committed when you abort a baby.

Identifying Arguments

To identify an argument, consider:

  • What was the point of producing this text or program?
  • What is the main message I am supposed to take from this?
  • What does the author/producer want me to believe, accept, or do?
  • What reasons have they offered to support their position?

Argument Example 3

  • Premise 1: All musicians can read music.
  • Premise 2: John is a musician.
  • Conclusion: Therefore, John can read music.
  • This is called putting an argument in standard form, useful for argument analysis.
  • When analyzing arguments, investigating logical properties, or considering the truth of premises, standard form makes it easier.

Expressing Arguments

  • Here's another way of saying the same thing: "Can John read music? Of course, he's a musician, isn't he?"
  • This expresses the same argument as the one written in standard form.
  • It is easier to see the structure of the argument when it's written in standard form. In this version you have to infer the conclusion, "John can read music", from the question and the "of course" part.
  • You have to fill in a missing premise. What you're given is