Repairing Arguments

Sometimes when we hear someone make a statement, he or she will leave out important pieces of information that are needed to create a valid argument. It is important to give a full explanation of a statement when making an argument. There are times when someone needs to “repair the argument.” The guide to repairing an argument is intended to make the argument stronger, to make the premise plausible to both parties involved, and for the premise to be more plausible than the conclusion of the argument.

For example, Jan is arguing to Henry a piece of information:

Jan: “I think my friend is in the gymnasium. No, actually she’s in the cafeteria.”

Henry: “How do you know?”

Jan: “Because my friend has lunch at 12:00pm, and it’s 12:00pm now.”

For Jan’s conclusion to be stronger and to overall have a valid argument, she should have included that she knows her friend doesn’t have gym class until after lunchtime at 12:00pm. Although, it is possible for her friend to have brought her lunch to school and is eating it in the yard or she may have went home for lunch, it is a plausible statement to say that she would be in the cafeteria because that is where lunch is served. That being said, Jan’s argument would be stronger by giving an explanation of why her friend is not in the gymnasium at 12:00pm and that she is assumed to be in the cafeteria.