Critical Thinking
Arguments
Mubarik Hassan
Aaron
Moratz
UoB
University of Burao
When you think of the word ‘argument’,
what comes to mind?
What is an
argument?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
What is an argument –
in academia?
An argument is a collection of statements, one of which
(the conclusion) is supported by the other ones
What is an argument –
in academia?
Reasons that support a claim
What is an
argument?
An argument includes:
 A point of view (or a ‘position’)
 An attempt to convince others of this
point of view
 Reasons that support this point of
view
Arguments
In order to analyze arguments, must first identify the premises and
conclusions of an argument.
The premises are the pieces of evidence that support the conclusion,
while the conclusion is the ultimate statement being made by the
argument.
Once the premises and conclusion are identified, one must evaluate the
strength of the argument.
What is an argument
You look for:
What is the most important, central
message that the author wants to
communicate?
What does not matter:
Whether the argument supports your
own opinion or not
What does matter:
The quality of the reasoning
Standard Argument Form
Proposition 1
Proposition 2
Proposition 3
Therefore
Conclusion
All cars have wheels.
Argument Example
All Toyotas are cars.
Therefore
All Toyotas have wheels.
All cars are green.
All Toyotas are cars.
Therefore
All Toyotas are green.
Deductive vs Non-deductive argument.
Deductive arguments aim to guarantee the conclusion if the
premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
All cats have four legs, therefore this cat has four legs.
Non-deductive arguments (also called inductive arguments) aim
to make the conclusion probable or likely, but not guaranteed. Even
if the premises are true, the conclusion could still be false. For
example, I think this cat is cute, so I want to take it home.
?
Quiz
Consider the following argument:
“Most Somalilanders love their national game: football. Ali is a Somalilander, so
it’s quite likely that he loves football.”
The argument is…
 [1] deductive and valid
 [2] deductive and invalid
 [3] non-deductive and strong
 [4] non-deductive and weak
?
Quiz
Consider the following argument:
“Football is the Somaliland national game. The Somaliland national game is also
the German national game. So football is the German national game.”
The argument is…
 [1] deductive and valid
 [2] deductive and invalid
 [3] non-deductive and strong
 [4] non-deductive and weak
?
Quiz
Consider the following argument:
“"If you study your lessons diligently, then you will learn effectively. You have
studied your lessons diligently. Therefore, you will get a great job"
The argument is…
 [1] deductive and valid
 [2] deductive and invalid
 [3] non-deductive and strong
 [4] non-deductive and weak
?
Quiz
Consider the following argument:
“The face on the Sphinx at the Giza Plateau does not resemble any portraits of
the Egyptian Pharaohs. Because of this and the lack of any true inscriptions in
the Great Pyramid we can safely say that, in fact, aliens built the pyramids.”
The argument is…
 [1] deductive and valid
 [2] deductive and invalid
 [3] non-deductive and strong
 [4] non-deductive and weak
To identify an argument, it is useful
to keep in mind such questions as:
• ‘What was the point of producing
this text or programme?’
• ‘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?’
(Cottrell 2017, p.36)
What is an
argument?
>>
Identifying the argument (p.37)
>>
Remove background details
>>
The argument becomes clearer
>>
Use standard form
Proposition 1
Proposition 2
Proposition 3
Therefore
Conclusion
>>
Use standard form
Many road traffic accidents occur at
the junction of Green Rd and Mill St.
Drivers take the corner too quickly.
New speed cameras are in place at
the junction.
Therefore
There should be now fewer accidents.
>>
Use standard form
Any questions or
comments?