ABSTRACT
But why is this necessary? After all, we have been subjected to arguments from the earliest of ages and surely, by now, we can distinguish between a ‘good’ argument and a ‘bad’ one. As for interpreting evidence, is it not a matter of common sense to see when a particular point of view is supported by the ‘facts’ and when it is not? Further reflection might suggest that there is no such thing as a right argument and no such thing as a wrong one. Yet, if the concepts of right and wrong are inapplicable, how do we choose which arguments to believe? Does it even make sense to refer to the notion of ‘belief when considering arguments? In the following chapters, unambiguous criteria are developed for formulating and evaluating arguments. But what about evidence? What counts as evidence? Can evidence be used to prove an argument? How does one evaluate the strength of a piece of evidence? The answers are by no means clearcut. If they were, then there would be little scope for controversy to occur.
