This page gives a general introduction to the argument types in the Delta Quadrant of the Periodic Table of Arguments (PTA). It builds on a basic understanding of its theoretical framework and terminology.
The Periodic Table of Arguments analyzes an argument as consisting of three statements: a conclusion, a premise, and a lever. Each statement has a subject and a predicate. Depending on how these are arranged, an argument takes one of four argument forms. Here we discuss the delta form, where the conclusion (q) is presented as acceptable (A) or unacceptable (U) based on the attribution of an external predicate (Z):
q is A/U because q is Z
Figure 4 pictures the argument diagram of such delta form arguments. The common element of the conclusion and the premise is called the fulcrum. In this case, the fulcrum is the conclusion (q). The wiggly line represents the argument lever, which is defined as the relationship between the non-common elements of the conclusion and the premise. In abstract terms, then, the lever of a delta form argument is the relationship between the external predicate (Z) and the acceptability (A) or unacceptability (U) of the conclusion.
Figure 4. Argument diagram of a delta form argument
The concrete lever depends in part on the argument substance. Below, we discuss the argument types having substances I, II, and III, respectively. The characteristics of concrete examples of the argument types can be inspected by clicking on the corresponding links.
The premise contains information about the speaker
The first group of argument types included in the Delta Quadrant has substance ‘I’, which stands for first-person perspective. This means that the speaker makes a statement about themselves in the premise, which corresponds to the rhetorical means of persuasion known as ‘ethos‘. The argument type with these characteristics is called an ethotic argument.
The premise contains information about the addressee
Next, there are delta form arguments in which the speaker makes a statement about the person(s) they are addressing. This group of argument types has substance ‘II’, which means the premise takes a second-person perspective. Argument types included in this group are the argumentum ad hominem, the argumentum ad baculum, and the argumentum ad carotam.
The premise contains information about a third party
Finally, the Delta Quadrant contains a group of argument types with substance ‘III’, third-person perspective, where the speaker mentions someone else, often an institution, expert, or other third party, as the source of information. This group includes the argument from expert opinion, the argument from testimony, the argument from moral authority, and the argumentum ad populum.
PERIODIC TABLE OF ARGUMENTS 