argument

An argument is a chain of statements intended to establish the truth or acceptability of a claim. In logic, an argument consists of one or more premises and a conclusion. If the premises logically guarantee the conclusion, the argument is deductively valid; if the premises make the conclusion likely but not certain, the argument is inductively strong. A sound argument is valid and has true premises, and a cogent argument is a strong inductive argument with true premises. Arguments are evaluated for relevance, sufficiency, and the logical connection between premises and conclusion. Common forms include syllogisms, conditional arguments, and probabilistic arguments. A classic deductive example is: All humans are mortal; Socrates is a human; therefore Socrates is mortal.

In rhetoric and everyday usage, an argument refers to the discourse that aims to persuade. Such arguments present claims, supporting evidence, and objections, and they may rely on reasons, examples, definitions, or authorities. Quality is judged by clarity, relevance, evidence, and the ability to address counterarguments; common errors include logical fallacies and non sequiturs.

In other domains, "argument" has different senses. In mathematics and computer science, an argument (or parameter) is a value supplied to a function or procedure. In philosophy, literature, and critical theory, the term can also refer to the central claim or thesis of a work or the subject of a dialogue.