What is a (good) argument?

(I) In logic, the term "argument" implies some kind of emotional confrontation, like when I say that "my parents got into an argument last night".

• True

• False

"An argument is a set of claims, or statements."

Is this enough to count as a proper definition of an argument?

• Yes, it's enough

• No. it is not enough

"Whales are mammals, so of course they breathe air."

This argument relies on an implicit (unstated) premise in order to infer the conclusion. Choose the best candidate for this implicit premise.

• Whales are mammals

• Mammals are whales

• Whales breathe aiir

• Mammals breathe air

1. All mammals breathe air.

2. Whales are mammals.

Therefore, whales breathe air.

When we write an argument like this, making each premise explicit, writing them on separate lines and distinguishing them from the conclusion, it's called "putting an argument in ________".

• standard form

• natural language

By definition, if an argument is successful at persuading its intended audience to accept the conclusion, then it’s a good argument.

• True

• False

One way an argument can fail to be good is if it relies on a false premise.

• True

• False

Another way an argument can fail to be good is if the conclusion doesn’t follow from the premises.

• True

• False

1. All tigers are mammals.

2. Tony is a mammal.

Therefore, Tony is a tiger.

This is a bad argument.

Why?

• It relies on a false premise

• The conclusion doesn't follow from the premises

1. All musicians are wealthy.

2. Johnny is a musician.

Therefore, Johnny is wealthy.

Select the best answer.

• The argument is bad because one of the premises is false

• The argument is bad because the conclusion doesn't follow from the premises

• The argument is bad for BOTH of the above reasons

• The argument is good