Definition
The diagramming arguments is a graphic representation of the relationships between all parts of an argument. The argument mapping occurs after the identification of the premises and conclusions of an argument.
Analysis (identification and/or reconstruction)
In general, the analysis can be done this way:
- numerate the propositions (statements) in the sequence they appear (in this moment we ignore if they are premises or conclusions);
- distinguish premises and conclusions.
Graphic representation
After the analysis, an arrow can be used to represent the parts of the argument. The premises stay at the origin of the arrow and at its opposite side remains the conclusion. So, in the image below, the item 1 is a premise and the item 2 is a conclusion.
Types of argumentative relationships
In an argument, there are different relationships between premises and conclusions. Let’s understand each one of them and how they can be represented.
Convergent argument
An argument in which the conclusion is based on independent premises, i.e., the falsity of a premise does not nullify the fundamentation offered by other premises. Thus, a convergent argument is invalid when only all its premises are false. A convergent argument is represented by a convergent diagram.
Linked argument
An argument in which the conclusion is based on dependent premises, i.e., the falsity of a premise nullify any foundation offered by the other premises. Thus, if only one of the premises is true, the argument isn’t valid. A linked argument is represented by a linked diagram.
Divergent argument
An argument is divergent when two or more conclusions are based on only one premise. A divergent argument representation is made with a divergent diagram.
Serial or chain argument
A series of arguments in which the conclusion of an argument become the premise to other argument. It’s represented by a chain diagram. For example, in the diagram below, the conclusion 3 of the first argument is also considered a premise of the conclusion 4 and so on.
Extended Arguments
A conclusion can be based on an arguments combination. In the diagram below, for example, we have a serial argument in which an argument is based on a convergent argument, and this last one has one of its independent premises formed by a linked argument.
Considerations
Briefly, the argument mapping offers an intuitive perspective of the role of each information and of the relationship type that unify them. It’s, also, an useful resource as a complement of analytics comprehension of processes in general, because it’s possible to consider the result of a proccess as a conclusion of an argument and the procediers of these processes as the premises of an argument.
Some possibilities of application: diagramming math proofs, comprehension of the role, relationships and information flow and algorithms in computing systems; comprehend the operation logic in bussiness and engineering; describe and help in the comparison of theorical models and experimental results in scientific research, etc.
References
Baronett, Stan. Lógica: uma introdução voltada para as ciências / Stan Baronett; tradução Anatólio Laschuk. – Porto Alegre: Bookman, 2009.
Site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_map
