Argument Quote by Robert Nozick
“The terminology of philosophical art is coercive: arguments are powerful and best when they are knockdown, arguments force you to a conclusion, if you believe the premisses you have to or must believe the conclusion, some arguments do not carry much punch, and so forth. A philosophical argument is an attempt to get someone to believe something, whether he wants to beleive it or not. A successful philosophical argument, a strong argument, forces someone to a belief.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Philosophical Essays, 1974
Philosophical arguments aim to compel belief, but their force depends on logical strength and premise acceptance.
In simple terms: Arguments try to force belief.
Key Takeaway
Assess premises before accepting conclusions.
Themes
philosophy
logic
persuasion
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
academic
critical
When to use this quote
- debate preparation
- academic writing
- public discourse
Key Concepts
critical thinking
argumentation theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes an argument convincing?
- How do you test premises?
A Different Perspective
Strong arguments can be manipulative.
