Seven types of argument

Seven types of argument

For this lesson, our goal is to learn how to distinguish between 7 distinct types of argument.

Some of these arguments are about what we think is real while others are about what we believe is important or valuable:

TWFS Argument types diagrams long

You already encounter these argument types every day, probably without even realising it.

The point of this lesson is not to get good at making each of these arguments, it's just learning to:

  • Recognise each argument type when you see it in the real world.
  • Understand the purpose of each and the differences between them.
  • Identify the type of reasoning each argument tends to use.
  • Notice how they can be combined in practice.

We're going to look at each argument type separately, but in practice you'll find they're often blended together in different ways.

Because we use real snippets from authentic arguments in this lesson, you might notice some of that blending.

Don't worry if it's confusing; that's just recognising that real arguments are often multi-layered.

Instead, focus on seeing how argument types can nest inside each other and work together. There are some interesting common patterns there!

Each of the argument types tends to use a specific type of reasoning. In case you haven't done the lesson on reasoning types, here's a quick recap:

Reasoning is the way we link evidence to reach a conclusion.

Two types of reasoning we use all the time are:

  • Cause & effect
  • Criteria & match

(There's a third type, called principle-based, which is frequently used in philosophy and law, but we won't worry about that one for now.)

 

Reasoning Cause & effect

Cause & effect

  • Based on linking events in causal relationships.
    • "This cause reliably produces that effect."
    • "If this happens, then that will happen."
  • Causal reasoning can work forwards and backwards, and can be about the past or the future.
  • Causes can be linked in a chain or grouped as factors.
  • We may or may not be certain.

 

Reasoning Criteria & match

Criteria & match

  • Based on judging & sorting things into categorical relationships.
    • "If this matches those criteria, then it belongs in that category."
    • "If this matches those criteria, then it does not belong in that category."
  • There can be multiple criteria.
  • Criteria can be weighted.
  • Matches can be fuzzy.
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