Topic 3: Conclusion Indicators

PHI332 : The Class : Argument ID : Conclusion Indicators

Topic 3: Conclusion Indicators

You have one other important indicator to help you find and diagram arguments: the conclusion indicator. The conclusion indicator is any synonym for "therefore."

Conclusion indicators

therefore
thus
so
hence
ergo
it follows that
this means that
this shows that
this entails that
this proves that
(and many others)

Usually, a conclusion indicator stands near the beginning of a sentence that is a conclusion. And usually the sentence or sentences before the conclusion indicator are premises. Consider these examples:

1. Fetuses are not persons. Abortion is,, not wrongful killing.

2. Fetuses are not rational agents. Hence abortion is permissible.

3. Fetuses are not social beings. This shows that abortion is not wrong.

Here is my diagram and key for example 1.

Diagram of 1:
Key:
a = Fetuses are not persons.
b = Abortion is not wrongful killing.

To complete this topic successfully, do as many of the following exercises as you find necessary to acquire the relevant skill. You have acquired the relevant skill when your answers to exercises are reliably either the same as the given answers or are alternative answers you can explain and defend:

ASSIGNMENT 1: Exercise 2.3.1

Once you have completed this module you should:

Go on to Topic 4: Independent and Linked Premises
or
Go back to Argument ID

E-mail George Rudebusch at George.Rudebusch@nau.edu
or call (520) 523-7091