Argument Diagrams
In Higher philosophy you must learn how to present arguments as diagrams. Argument diagrams are a away of representing arguments so that the relationship between the different premises and conclusion is clear.
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Argument diagrams can be a useful technique as they can make an argument easier to understand. They may also present flaws more obviously than standard form or ordinary language arguments.
Standard
Form
Argument
Diagram
P1 + P2
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C
Types of Argument Diagrams.
Linked
1 + 2
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3
Convergent
1. 2. 3. 4
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5
Serial
1
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2
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3
Independent and Dependent Premises
Read the following link to learn more about independent and dependent premises.
How to Create an Argument Diagram
There are many different ways to present argument diagrams. The example above is a very simple example. To create your own argument diagram you should follow the steps below.
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1. Circle the inference indicators.
2. Put brackets around each separate statement in the argument.
3. Number the statements. Statements that appear twice in the argument must use the same namer.
4. Use the number to diagram how the premises support the conclusion by joining these numbers together with arrows.
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Look at the example below to view the process of creating an argument diagram step by step.
Example 1
1 and 2
Circle the inference indicators as well.
3.
Keep the circled inference indicators.
Miss Stewart has had a long day and currently cannot figure out the formatting on here.
4.
Statements 3 and 4 are premises which support statement 2.
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Statements 1 and 2 are premises which support the conclusion.
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Statement 5 is the conclusion.
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Look at the second example below.
Example 2
1 and 2
Circle the inference indicators as well.
3.
4.
Statement 1 is the conclusion. It features twice in the argument and keeps the same number.
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Statements 2,3, and 4 are premises which all work together and lead to the conclusion.
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There is one more example to go over...
Example 3
1 and 2
Circle the inference indicators as well.
3.
4.
Statement 1 is the conclusion.
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Statements 2 and 5 are taken together to lead to the conclusion.
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But statements 3 and 4 also provide independent reasons for supporting the conclusion although they are not connected together.
Tasks
Complete each step to represent the following arguments as diagrams.