In: Economics
State whether the following passages contain an argument. Explain your answer by defining the concept of an argument and applying it. If the passages do contain an argument, identify the premises and the conclusions. (Each answer is worth 4 marks.)
1. Socrates and Plato are philosophers. All philosophers hate tomatoes. Hence, Socrates and Plato hate tomatoes.
2. Chaser is either a philosopher or a poet. He is definitely not a poet. Consequently, Chaser is a philosopher.
An argument, in this context, is simply a statement, or set of statements, that includes at least one premise and a conclusion. A premise is a statement that supports, or helps lead to, an argument’s conclusion. A conclusion is the statement that is inferred (reasoned) from the argument’s premises. Arguments are “inferential; they intend to “infer” something. The process by which we reason in order to reach a conclusion is referred to as inference.
1. This passage is obviously an argument. A standard form for repersenting an argument is premises first and then conclusion. So second second is an premises. The occurance of "hence" clearly states that third second is an conclusion.
2.This passage is an argument. The sentence "He is definitely not a poet" is a premises. This sentence support the conclusion. The occurrence of "Consequences" clearly states that third second is an conclusion.