Diagramming for critical thinking

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Critical thinking

UNIT 2

Argument standardisation and argument types

CRITICAL THINKINGARGUMENT STANDARDISATION AND ARGUMENT TYPES

MARK EMERSONSPECIALIST REPACK

[Company address]

FEBRUARY 14, 2014



Critical thinking Unit 1 - Reasoning recognition

1

ContentsAims of this unit ...................................................................................................................................... 2

2 conventions for standardising arguments ........................................................................................... 2

5 argument types .................................................................................................................................... 4

Diagramming ........................................................................................................................................... 4

Practise exercises .................................................................................................................................... 5




2

CRITICAL THINKING

Aims of this unit

Unit summary:

1. Two conventions for standardisation

2. Five argument types

By the end of this unit you will be able to use two conventions to standardise an argument and use

diagramming to analyse an argument.

Explanation: Your aim is to be able to break down all the components of an argument to show how

all the parts are logically connected. Moreover, you will also use special notation to help you analyse

the different parts of an argument. Finally, you will use diagramming to formulate your analysis.

2 conventions for standardising arguments1. Notation

2. Numerals

To standardise an argument you must break down its components in a manner to show the logical

relationship between the parts.

NOTATION:

Reasons (premises) are noted using the letter P while conclusions are noted using the letter C

Example:

Using standard notation it looks like this:

Example 1.1: a simple argument

John is over two meters tall, so he is tall.

Example 1.2: a simple argument in standard notation

P1: John is over two meters tall.

C1: John is tall.

In the above example 1.1, the premise P1 is offered in support of C1.




3

NUMERALS:

Example 1.3: a simple argument using diagramming with numbers.

[1] John is over two meters tall, [2] so he is tall.

DIAGRAMMING:

Here is the associate diagram for example 1.3:

Example 1.4: a simple argument diagram

2

1

You read diagrams from bottom to the top, with each arrow representing therefore. In other words,

we read 1.3 as 1, therefore 2, and substitute the propositions for 1 and 2, that is:

[1] John is over two meters tall, therefore [2] John is tall.

Remember:

In Unit 1, you learnt how to recognise reasons and conclusion using indicators.

Now you can note your findings using two types of standards: note form and numerical form.

In the next part you will use diagramming to help you formulate your analysis of different types of

arguments.




4

5 argument types

1. Simple argument A simple premise supports a simple

conclusion

2. Serial argument A premise set is used to support a

sub conclusion. The sub conclusion

serves as a premise for a further

conclusion.

3. Linked argument Two or more premises are logically

linked and work together to support

the conclusion.

4. Convergent argument Two or more premises are logically

independent. They work

independently to support the

conclusion.

5. Divergent argument A premise set supports two or more

conclusions.




5

Diagramming

Cut these out for diagramming student task:

P1 P2

C1 C2

P3 C3

Practise exercisesQuizes.

Diagramming for critical thinking

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