Extended Arguments

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For help on the meaning of a number box, click on it with the right mouse button. The part of the text that it represents will be highlighted. In addition, any other number circles that have been connected to it in the diagram will also be highlighted. To restore the standard coloring to the number circles, click on any one of the six control label icons.

In the extended argument diagrams, evidence flows downward. So, when drawing an inference arrow, the program assumes that the premise is at the top and the conclusion is at the bottom. To facilitate repositioning, you may temporarily place both ends at the same level in the diagram.

When evaluating joint premises or joint conclusions, the program assumes that they are to be placed on the same level in the diagram. To facilitate repositioning, you may temporarily place them on different levels.

The vertical line from box 1 to box 2 shows that there is an inference from the top box [1] to the bottom [2].

The line at the top of boxes 7 and 8 shows that they are joint conclusions and the line at the bottom of the next boxes 7 and 8 shows that they are joint premises.

Propositions that act together are usually identified by their subject matter. For example, if a principle judges an action by its cost and another proposition states the cost, then the two function jointly in the argument. Thus, we expect that Picasso painted some pictures using only shades of blue since at one point in his life he could only afford the least expensive paints and at that time blue was the cheapest color to buy. Studying the examples in the text will build proficiency in successfully completing the subtle task on separating joint elements from independent ones.

All diagrams are made by combining the three basic components illustrated above. Two kinds of diagrams are built corresponding to the two basic patterns of argumentation. One kind is vertical. It consists of a series of arguments in which the conclusion of one becomes the premise of the next until the final conclusion is reached. Above, proposition 1 implies proposition 2 which in turn serves as the premise for the ultimate conclusion, proposition 3. The other pattern is horizontal. Several different propositions each imply the conclusion.

Here, propositions 4 and 5 separately imply proposition 6.

In the most complicated arguments both patterns may be combined and there may be more than three propositions. Use indicator words to decide whether a proposition is a premise, a conclusion, or neither.