Teleologic argument

The University of Amsterdam should invest in AI research because it should foster innovation.

The subjects are the same and the predicates are different, so the argument form is alpha (a is X because a is Y): “The University of Amsterdam (a) should invest in AI research (X) because it (a) should foster innovation (Y)”.

Both the conclusion and the premise can be classified as statements of policy (P), so the argument substance is PP: “The University of Amsterdam should invest in AI research (P) because it should foster innovation (P)”.

The keyword TELEOLOGIC MOTIVATION describes the relationship between predicates Y and X. The argument lever can thus be formulated as “Fostering innovation (Y) is a TELEOLOGIC MOTIVATION for investing in AI research (X)”.

Other examples

• Cities should ban smoking in public spaces because they should protect citizens’ health.

Notes

This argument type is similar to the deontic argument, but here, the premise expresses an end (telos) rather than an obligation (deon).

Different from the pragmatic argument and the argument from principle, the actor is the subject (not the action).