ARGUMENT, in rhetoric and logic, an inference drawn from premises, the truth of which is indisputable, orat least highly probable.
The arguments of orators receive par ticular denominations, according to the topics from whence they are derived: thus, we meet with arguments from af fection, which interest the passions of the person to whom they are addressed ; also with the arguments a Lute, ad ignaviam, aG invidia, &cc.
In reasoning, Mr. Locke observes, that men ordinarily use four sorts of argu ments. The first is, to allege the opinions of men, whose parts and learning, emi nency, power, or some other cause, has gained a name, and settled their reputa tion in the common esteem, with some kind of this may be called argu mentum ad verecundiam. Secondly, another way is, to require the adversaries to admit what they allege as a proof, or to assign a better ; this he calls argumentum ad ignorantiam. A third way is, to press a man with consequences, drawn from his own principles or concessions ; this is known by the name of argumentum ad ho minem. Fourthly, the using proofs drawn
from any of the foundations of knowledge or probability ; this he calls argumentum ad judicium ; and observes, that it is the only one of all the four that brings true instruction with it, and advances us in our way to knowledge. For, 1. It argues not another man's opinion to be right, be cause I, out of respect, or ahy other con sideration, but that of conviction, will not contradict him. 2. It proves not another man to be in the right way, nor that I ought to take the same with him because I know not a better. 3. Nor does it fol low that another man is in the right way, because he has shewn me that I am in the wrong; this may dispose me, per haps, for the reception of truth, but helps me not to it; that must come from proofs' and arguments, and light arising from the nature of things themselves, not from my shamefacedness, ignorance, or error. See the articles REASON and REASONING.