Afinal, o que é um argumento?

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the concept of argument, a subject of considerable controversy in the field of argumentation studies. Our central objective is to provide a contribution to this debate through a unifying and integrative proposal guided by the following definition: an argument is a unit of support for an answer to an argumentative question. Building upon this definition, we proceed to expound on the properties of supporting, suggesting that it can be outlined through three operations: the logical-inferential operation of assigning plausibility to the thesis, which links the concept of argument to the notion of argument scheme in terms of an instance-type relationship; the rhetorical operation of generating influence, incorporating the discussion on commitments and agreements into the functioning of the argument; and the dialectical operation of shifting the burden of proof to the other, connecting rational to interactional and intertextual reality. Each of these operations is discussed from both theoretical and operational perspectives, highlighting relevant categories of analysis to address this complex set. In order to ground the discussion, we provide an illustrative analysis of a dialogue between a four-year-old child and her parent, published on Twitter (now X).