A cogent argument is like a really good reason that makes you believe something is true, just like when your friend gives you a solid excuse for being late.
Imagine you and your friend are playing a game, and they say, “I can’t play right now because my little brother spilled juice all over the floor, and we’re cleaning it up.” That’s a cogent argument, it makes sense, and you believe them because it's a real reason.
What Makes an Argument Cogent?
A cogent argument needs two things:
- Good reasons, like the juice spill example.
- Reasonable people, someone who listens and thinks about the reasons given.
If your friend said, “I’m late because a dragon ate my shoes,” that might not be a cogent argument, unless you believe in dragons (and even then, it’s pretty wild!).
So, when someone gives you a clear, real reason, like spilled juice, and you think about it, that’s what makes an argument cogent. It's just like having a solid excuse that actually works!
Examples
- A friend says, 'I will pass the test because I studied a lot,' which is a cogent argument if studying usually leads to passing tests.
- A teacher explains that if all sides of a triangle are equal, it must be an equilateral triangle, a simple cogent argument.
- You argue that your pet is happy because it wags its tail every time you come home, this is a cogent argument in everyday life.
Ask a question
See also
- How to Argue - Philosophical Reasoning: Crash Course Philosophy #2?
- How Does Opinion vs. Persuasion vs. Argument Work?
- How Does 1 Arguments Work?
- What is an argument? | Reading | Khan Academy?
- What are consistent assignment of truth values?