Chapter 4: Repairing Arguments

In the textbook, I find Chapter 4 to be very useful and interesting. This chapter teaches me about several methods on how to fix arguments that are weak and lacking in an effective premise or an effective conclusion . In chapter 4, Epstein emphasizes the importance of repairing defective arguments by adding an unstated premise or an unstated conclusion. According to Epstein, he thinks that it’s only important to add a premise or conclusion if the argument will become stronger/valid, if the premise is plausible, and if the premise is more plausible than the conclusion. If the argument is already valid or strong, then we may choose to delete a premise to prevent the argument from becoming worse. I also find indicator words to be helpful in determining when the conclusion or premise is coming up in an argument. If I see words such as “so”, “therefore”, or “consequently”, then I will know that the conclusion is coming up. Words such as “since” or “because” are words that introduce the premises. These words make an argument very clear so that people can understand what we’re trying to argue about.