A premise is an assertion or a statement of fact used to support an argument. It is typically used as evidence or proof that something is true. In formal logic, it is a statement that forms the basis of an argument, which may include other premises. Premises can be used to draw conclusions and build arguments, but they must be supported by facts and evidence.
Premises can be divided into two categories:
1. Propositional Premises: These are statements that are true or false. They can be propositions that are either true or false, such as “All cats are mammals.” They can also be statements about the relationship between two things, such as “The temperature outside is lower than yesterday.”
2. Non-Propositional Premises: These are statements that are not necessarily true or false. They can be opinions, beliefs, or ideas, such as “I think the sky is blue.” They can also be statements that are subjective or open to interpretation, such as “It is wrong to steal.”
Examples of Premises in Arguments
Propositional Premises:
- All mammals are warm-blooded.
- The temperature outside is lower than yesterday.
Non-Propositional Premises:
1. Stealing is wrong.
2. I think the sky is blue.In an argument, premises are used to support a conclusion. For example, an argument may conclude that “The temperature outside is cold” based on the two premises “All mammals are warm-blooded” and “The temperature outside is lower than yesterday.”
It is important to note that premises must be supported by facts and evidence. Premises that are not supported by facts and evidence are considered weak or invalid and cannot be used to draw a conclusion.
In conclusion, a premise is an assertion or a statement of fact used to support an argument. It can be either propositional or non-propositional. Propositional premises are statements that are either true or false, while non-propositional premises are statements that are not necessarily true or false. Examples of premises in arguments include “All mammals are warm-blooded” and “I think the sky is blue.” Premises must be supported by facts and evidence in order to be used to draw a conclusion.
