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Chapter 5
- Diagrams
- Number all statements.
For example:
All books are good. This is a book. Therefore, it is good.
That argument should be numbered like this:
(1) All books are good. (2) This is a book. (3) Therefore, it is good.
- Find the conclusion.
The indicator word therefore signals that statement (3) is the conclusion.
- Find the statements the directly support the conclusion.
In this case, statements (1) and (2) directly support the conclusion, so the argument
could be written like this:
(1) All books are good.
(2) This is a book.
(3) Therefore, it is good.
- Use an arrow to indicate therefore.
- Keep identifying supporting statements until all the original statements have been used.
In this case, there were no other statements. But let's look at a longer argument:
- Adults are responsible for their actions. If someone has the power of choice, then
that person also is accountable for the choices he or she makes. All adults have this power of choice.
- (1)Adults are responsible for their actions. (2)If someone has the power of choice, then
that person also is accountable for the choices he or she makes. (3)All adults have this power of choice.
- Statement (1) is the conclusion. (This is often the case!)
- Statements (2) and (3) directly support the conclusion, so the diagram could be written:
(2) If someone has the power of choice, then that person also is accountable for the choices he or she makes.
(3) All adults have this power of choice.
(1) Adults are responsible for their actions.
- And the diagram would look like this:
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