Philosophy and Logic Summary - Unit 3: Logic’s Vocabulary II 

Unit 3: Logic’s Vocabulary II
Argument.
An argument is a group of propositions that can be structured into two parts that is premise(s)’, which is also known as ‘reason’ and ‘conclusion’ which can also be known as ‘claim’. The premises which are some of the statements in an argument is said to provide reason(s) for which the conclusion is affirmed.
The conclusion which is part of the statements in an argument is affirmed based on the other statements, which are called premises. At least two propositions or statements form an argument otherwise it is not argument. But not all the statements are arguments. Some non-argumentative uses of statements such as in reports, illustration, explanatory statements, conditional statement etc…are sometimes confused with arguments.
As earlier stated, at least two statements or propositions form an argument. In the case of two propositions only one must be the premise while the other must be the conclusion. For instance:
“As soon as Ronaldo scores the second goal, the match ended.”
Here the conclusion is “the match ended” while the premise is “Ronaldo
scores the second goal”. The expression “as soon as” stands as premise -
indicator. When more than two propositions or statements form an argument,
one must be a conclusion while the others must be premises.
Example;
All women are caring.
Ada is a mother.
Therefore, Ada is caring.
You should always remember that no matter how many premises form an argument, an argument can never have more than one conclusion.
3.2. Valid and Invalid Arguments.
An argument is said to be valid when the conclusion of that argument is derived from or follows from the premises. In other words, in a valid argument, it is necessary that if the premises are true, then the conclusion is true. Thus, in any valid argument, there is an absolute connection between the premises and the conclusion. In any valid argument, it is impossible for the conclusion to be false when the premises are true, for example:
“All Americans are proud Peter is an American Therefore, peter is proud.”