What is an argument and how can it be? What is the meaning of the word "argument"?

"In a dispute, truth is born!" - this statement is familiar to all of us. But in order for this truth to appear, it is necessary to use a sufficient number of arguments and facts. The fact is a unit of philosophy that does not require proof. And this value is familiar to many. And what is the argument?

Philosophy

The argument is the basis of the evidence, or the part on which the reality is based or in which the main evidence is contained.

Depending on the goal pursued in the proof, the argument can be of several types:

1. Argument ad hominem (calculated on prejudice). Here, the basis of the proof is personal prerequisites and beliefs, as well as statements.

2. Argument ad veritatem (declaration of truth). Here the proof comes from a statement that has been tested by science, society, and objectivity.

3. Argument e consensus gentium. In this case, the evidence is what we believed from time immemorial.

4. Argument a tuto. Proof is decisive in the case of insufficient other arguments, it is based on the judgment that if it does not help, it will not do any harm either.

5. Argument a baculo (last argument). In this case, if all arguments are exhausted, the final argument in the dispute is the use of physical force.

Logics

Consider what an argument is in logic. Here this concept is a set of judgments by which the truth of a theory or another proposition can be substantiated. For example, there is a saying: "Iron can be melted." For the proof, you can use two arguments: "All metals can be melted" and "Iron is a metal". From these two judgments we can logically derive the opinion to be proved, thereby justifying its truth. Or, for example, the proposition "What is happiness?" Arguments can be used here: "Happiness for everyone is different," "The person himself determines the criteria by which he classifies himself as happy or unhappy people."

rules

Arguments (A) that are used in the process of proving the truth of a proposition must be subject to certain rules:

A) the arguments must be true opinions and judgments;

B) they should be those judgments, whose truth in any case can be established, regardless of opinion;

C) the arguments should be the basis of the opinion to be proved.

If any of the rules are violated, this will lead to logical errors, which will make the proof incorrect.

What is the argument in the dispute?

Arguments that are used in a dispute or discussion are divided into several types:

1. To the essence of the matter. In this case, the argument refers to the issue that is being discussed, and is aimed at justifying the truth of the proof. Here, the main provisions of any theories, scientific concepts and judgments, early established facts, proven positions, and so on can be applied.

If these arguments satisfy all the rules, then the proof in which they are used will be logically correct. In this case, the so-called iron argument will be used.

2. To the person. Such arguments are used only when there is a need to win a dispute or a discussion. They are directed to the personality of the opponent and affect his beliefs.

From the logical point of view, such arguments are incorrect and should not be used in a dispute where participants seek to find the truth.

Varieties of arguments "to man"

The most common types of arguments "to the person" are the following:

1. To authority. Here in the discussion, the opinions and statements of writers, scientists, public figures and so on are used as arguments. Such arguments may well exist, but they are incorrect. It is due to the fact that a person who has achieved success in a certain area can not be an authority in other areas, therefore his opinion here may turn out to be erroneous.

Argument to authority can be applied, while using the authority of the audience, public opinion, the enemy and even their own. Sometimes a person can invent authority or attribute judgments to those people who have never expressed them.

2. To the public. Here the person refers to the mood and feelings of the listener. In the dispute, he addresses not to the opponent, but to the audience, random listeners in order to attract them to his side, thus exerting psychological pressure on the opponent. It is especially effective to use arguments to the public in the event that its material interests are affected. So, if one opponent proves that the opponent's opinion affects the material situation of those present, he will win their sympathy.

3. To the person. The arguments are based on the personal characteristics of the opponent, on his shortcomings and dignities, tastes and appearance. If such an argument is used, then the object of the dispute is the personality of the enemy in its negative coverage. There are also arguments that reveal the opponent's strengths. Often this method is used in courts to protect the accused.

4. To vanity. This method consists in expressing a large amount of praise and compliments to the opponent in order to touch him, so that he becomes complaisant and softer.

5. To the force. In this case, one of the opponents threatens with the use of force or means of coercion. This is especially true for a person endowed with power or having weapons.

6. To pity. What is the argument for pity is quite understandable. This is the evocation of pity and empathy in the enemy. Such arguments are often used by many people who constantly complain about the severity of life and difficulties in the hope of awakening in the opponent sympathy and desire to help.

7. To ignorance. In this case, one of the opponents uses facts that are unknown to the opponent. Often people are not able to admit that they do not know anything, because they believe that they will lose their dignity. That is why, in a dispute with such people, the argument for ignorance acts ironically.

All of the above arguments are incorrect, they should not be used in a dispute. But practice shows the opposite. Most people skillfully use them to achieve their goals. If a person sees one of these arguments, he should point out that they are incorrect, and the person is not sure of his position.

Algebra

Let us consider what an argument is in algebra. In mathematics, this concept denotes an independent variable. So, speaking of tables where the value of a function from an independent variable is located, they mean that they are in a certain argument. For example, in the table of logarithms, where the value of the function log x is specified, the number x is the argument of the table. Thus, when answering the question of what is an argument of a function, it must be said that this is the independent variable on which the value of the function depends.

Increment of the argument

In mathematics, there is the notion of "increment of function and argument". We already know the concept of "argument of a function", we will consider what is the increment of the argument. So, every argument has some meaning. The difference between its two values (old and new) is increment. In mathematics this is denoted as: Dx: Dx = x ₁ -x _0.

Theology

In theology, the concept of "argument" has its significance. Here the true proof is the divinity of Christianity, which comes out of the prophecies and parables of the wise, and also from the miracles performed by Christ. As evidence in the dispute, there is also an indissoluble connection between thinking and being, and also the belief that God is the most perfect reality, existing not only in thoughts, but also in the real world.

Astronomy

In astronomy, the concept of "pericente argument" is used. So, it is a certain quantity that determines the reference point of the orbit of a certain celestial body with respect to the plane of the equator of some other celestial body. The latitude argument used in astronomy is a certain magnitude that determines the position of a particular celestial body in orbit.

Apparently, the question of what an argument is, one can not give an unambiguous answer, since this concept has several meanings, which depend on the area in which the concept is used. Whichever argument is used by a person to prove the truth in a discussion or dispute, he must have logical premises, be based on proven facts. Only in this case the dispute will be correct and true. In any other case, the dispute will be incorrect, and the opponent, who uses such arguments, will not be sure of his rightness.

The complexity of the arguments that are used to prove the truth of beliefs, as well as the whole process of justification, is called argumentation, the main purpose of which is to attract an opponent to his side in discussing a particular problem.