Define an argument
An argument is a term used to describe a dispute or a fight over something, tangible or intangible at technical levels (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2019). Arguments arise from the uncertainty of truthfulness or falsity of a subject or an object. Arguments can be vividly made or poorly established. An argument that is well constructed has reasons for it, usually called premises. A conclusion can be derived from the propositions that the premises do offer. From a formal logical perspective, an argument is an outline of statements that contain assumptions as to the comments preceding a conclusion (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2019). This perspective does not concentrate much on how the premises lead to the outcome. This kind of argument only links a few assumptions to the result. Regardless of the concrete understanding of a dispute, only well-constructed arguments stand a chance of taking the win in the case the two opponent parties involved.
Three Benefits of an Argument
One benefit of the argument is that it keeps the arguing parties energized and motivated. An argument constructed over a logical hypothesis always has valid reasons from each side (Cottrell, 2017). The side in for the subject of dispute always has ideas for their proposal just like the opposing team is motivated to win. Therefore, as long as the argument is still valid, both parties will be energized and motivated.
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Secondly, arguments give people the will to achieve their goals. People involved in a dispute must be interested in the subject of argument at the start. As long as they argue, they got the main idea of what is important to them in that argument. These essential subjects remind people of their daily goals as they continue to strive to meet them.
Lastly, arguments have health benefits as they can lower the levels of stress hormones. Those who do not like confrontation have higher amounts of this hormone, unlike people who argue regularly. Low levels of stress hormones can reduce the risks of attracting certain kinds of cancer.
Disadvantages of a Poorly Constructed Argument
Poorly constructed arguments are a waste of time. Most arguments over an important subject should be well built with premises that can be traced to the conclusion. Parties that do not construct their argument with proper reasons are likely to lose in the end (Elster, 2017). This failure of presenting the argument will, therefore, end up in just a waste of time.
A poorly constructed argument can be likened to a fallacy, which is unlikely to win any form of a fight. Fallacies are intolerable because they are just a set of poor reasoning built on top of each other. Arguments that rely on fallacies do not stand a chance for winning over the disputed subject.
Poorly constructed arguments could kill the spirit of achieving the desired goal. Not all the arguments won do deserve the win. Some cases may have suitable premises to win an argument but lack the proper construction of it (Elster, 2017). Losing an argument can, therefore, demoralize the opposing side who may, in turn, lose hope on their desired goals.
A Formal Analysis
An argument may involve proving the process of formation of the universe. One party may stick to the religious perspective of the creation of the world. The other party would present scientific proofs of how the universe was formed. Theories of the formation of the universe have existed since the beginning of time, and no one knows the exact causes that lead to existence. In the end, only that party that will have proper construction of their premises to the argument will win. However, this does not prove they are right since the other party may fail to have an appropriate construction of their case. Winning an argument requires the will to do so.
References
Cottrell, S. (2017). Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument, and reflection. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Elster, J. (2017). Strategic uses of argument. In Multi-Party Dispute Resolution, Democracy, and Decision-Making (pp. 97-119). Routledge
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (September 2019). “Argument.” Retrieved on 11 September 2019 from https://www.iep.utm.edu/argument/
