Arguments are

• a way to gain an understanding of your reasons and beliefs.
• A way to express reasoning
• Set of reasons for a conclusion.
• Not verbal fights, abuse, complaints, disagreements.

“Argument is an intellectual process, where you express your opinion/view and give reasons for it.”

Purpose of arguments

• To convince/persuade you (to buy something).
• To give a reason/justification for your belief.
• To explain something and to increase understanding.
  • Causal (cause)
  • Teleological (goal)
  • Formal
  • Material

Arguments are made out of language. Language is

• Important
• Social
• Representational
• Conventional

Language acts at three level

• Linguistic - is just the utterance of a meaningful sentence.
• Speech - occurs even if the intended effect does not occur.
• Conversational - is the bringing about of an effect.

Linguistic Acts

• Meaningful sentence using syntax and semantics of the language.

Speech Acts

• Can be a promise or a threat.

The thereby test
If I say, “I <something>” then I thereby <something>.

Conversational Act

• Is bringing about the intended effect, which is the standard effect of the speech act speaker is performing.
• The effect has to occur for it be conversational act.

Conversational Maxims

• Quantity - say the right amount, not too much, not too little
• Quality - don’t say what you don’t believe or don’t have reason to believe
• Relevant
• Manner - be orderly, be brief, avoid obscurity, avoid ambiguity.