An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Creativity - always yours

CHAPTER 8
IDENTIFYING ARGUMENTS
8.1 WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT?
In ordinary usage, an argument is often taken to be a somewhat heated dispute
between people. But in logic and critical thinking, an argument is a list of statements,
one of which is the conclusion and the others are the premises or assumptions
of the argument. An example:
It is raining.
So you should bring an umbrella.
In this argument, the first statement is the premise and the second one the
conclusion. The premises of an argument are offered as reasons for accepting the
conclusion. It is therefore irrational to accept an argument as a good one and yet
refuse to accept the conclusion. Giving reasons is a central part of critical thinking.
It is not the same as simply expressing an opinion. If you say "that dress
looks nice," you are only expressing an opinion. But if you say "that dress looks
nice because the design is very elegant," then it would be an argument indeed.
Dogmatic people tend to make assertions without giving arguments. When they
cannot defend themselves, they often resort to responses such as "this is a matter
An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Creativity: Think More, Think Better. By Joe Y.F. Lau 69
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.