ARGUMENTS,

PREMISES AND
CONCLUSIONS
Lyn D’ Amor M. Macabulit
III- 15 BME
ARGUMENTS, PREMISES, and
CONCLUSIONS
■ Argument is a sequence of propositions.
■ Conclusion is the claim that we are trying to
establish as true through our process of
reasoning. Usually, the last proposition in the
argument.
■ Premises, we think of them as the basis on
which we try to establish the conclusion.
“ I do not have a watch, and I am
wondering what time it is. I notice
that Sesame street is just starting
on television, and I know from my
acquaintance with the timetable
that this show starts at 8:30. I
conclude that it is 8:30
”
ARGUMENTS, PREMISES, and
CONCLUSIONS
■We identify the conclusion as the
proposition that the speaker is trying
to establish – to give reasons for –
and the premises as the reasons
given in support of that conclusion.
ARGUMENTS, PREMISES, and
CONCLUSIONS
■We must always think carefully about
what is beig said – about what it is
that the reasoned is trying to
establish and about what reasons are
being given in support of this
conclusion.
HOWEVER
 When working out what to serve a
guest for breakfast, someone might
reason as follows:
“ Mary must like marmalade, because
she is English, and all English
people like marmalade.”