Arguments

• Goals
  • Describe arguments
  • Excel at making arguments.
  • Respond in the best way to each argument that is communicated to you.

Arguments (What)

In Critical Thinking (CT), an argument is a claim (or decision) supported by one or more premises (statements of fact or reasoning) that justify why the claim should be believed or acted upon.

Analysis (Break Down of Main Ideas)

Critical in “Critical Thinking” means careful as in “careful not to make a mistake or jump to a conclusion.”

An argument in CT is not a dispute between two or more actors (people or groups). Instead, an argument is a conclusion plus facts that support this conclusion.

Claim (Conclusion)

A claim is a statement that an actor makes that asserts that something is true or that a certain action should be taken.

Premise

A premise is a statement that is supposed to be true that is used to justify a claim.

Arguer

In CT, an arguer is the decision maker; the person making the claim.

Examples of Arguments

Here is the structure of an argument.

• Issue: What is the capital city of Idaho? Claim: The capital of Idaho is Boise. Reasoning: I have verified this through observation and reliable sources such as Wikipedia.

Here, this structure is used for a math problem.

• Issue: Two angles of a triangle are known: 33° and 66°. What is the third angle? Claim: The third angle is 81°. Reasoning: The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°. Therefore, the third angle is calculated as: 180° − (33° + 66°) = 81°

Note: The facts or reasoning that justify a claim or conclusion are collectively referred to as the argument’s rationale.

Rationale for Learning How to Make Arguments

Here are some reasons why developing the skill of making high-quality arguments is worthwhile:

1. Consistently make the best decisions possible for your context (surrounding circumstances).

   1. Figure out the best course of action.
   2. Figure out what is true and what is not; get an accurate view of reality.

2. Reduces errors and mistakes. Logical arguments help ensure conclusions are well-founded.

3. Minimizes belief in misinformation. You will be less likely to believe and spread falsehoods.

4. Enhances clarity of thought. Clear reasoning leads to clear communication.

5. Improves learning. Making arguments requires understanding and connecting ideas deeply.

6. Strengthens communication. Others can understand your position more effectively.

7. Promotes professional competence. In many professions, the ability to construct strong arguments is essential for success.

Here are some concerns

1. Arguments alone may not persuade. While logical arguments are essential, persuasion often requires additional skills, such as understanding emotions, values, and context.

2. Making high-quality arguments is hard to do. You will be taxed; you will be challenged. However, you can also make this a fun game to play.

Making Excellent Arguments (How To)

Principles

1. Truth exists. True matters. An accurate view of reality matters. Truth can be figured out.

2. In each situation, there is a best course of action. Best means ethical plus the most rewards with the fewest drawbacks taken holistically. One should always pursue best.

3. Absolutes rarely exist. Instead, things are probabilistic. There is a high likelihood that X is true. There is a high likelihood that Y is the best action for this context.

Framework

Repetitions: Follow these steps iteratively, improving your argument’s quality with each cycle.

1. Key Question (Issue): Identify the most useful topic to address and frame it as a clear, simple question.
2. Research: Gather high-quality, relevant information to answer the question.
3. Logic: Choose the best reasoning method for your context, such as legal, mechanical, scientific, or mathematical logic.
4. Argument: Present the issue, your conclusion, and the supporting facts in a structured way.
5. Reflective Thinking: Assess and refine your argument for quality, looping back to earlier steps as needed.

Tips

1. Understand the difference between arguments and disagreements. A heated exchange between people is a disagreement. In critical thinking, an “argument” refers to a claim supported by reasons. Avoid disagreements until you have the skills to make them productive.

2. Recognize that everything is an argument. Practice making purposeful arguments by following this simple structure:

   • Frame the issue as a clear question.
   • State your conclusion directly.
   • Justify your conclusion with supporting facts or reasoning.

3. Be patient. Mastering arguments is a skill that builds over time. This BookCourse provides the details and techniques to make you proficient.

Responding to Arguments (How To)

Principles

1. The best response to a claim made by another actor is the ethical response that gives you the highest payoff. Payoff is rewards minus drawbacks taken holistically.

2. For most claims, the best response is to ignore them or to hear them and don’t respond. That is, filter out most claims.

3. Don’t engage in disagreements. Instead, focus on figuring out what is true and what are the best courses of action.

Framework

If you decide to respond to a claim,

1. Figure out what you most want.

2. Select the best tool or tools for responding from your arsenal.

   1. Empathy
   2. Active listening.
   3. Socratic questioning.
   4. Debate
   5. Rebuttal
   6. Conflict Resolution
   7. Other Options

3. Skillfully deploy your tool.

4. Reflective Thinking: Figure out best next steps. Figure out how to improve your response skills. Etc.

Tips

1. Effectively responding to claims is harder than making claims. So be patient as you learn how to respond.