argument instance

English

Noun

argument instance (plural argument instances)

1. (logic) The argument resulting when the blanks of an argument form are filled in with specific terms or statements.
   • 1978, Irving M. Copi, Introduction to Logic, 5th edition, Macmillan, page 52:

     An argument instance is obtained by uniformly substituting specific statements or terms for the variables in an argument form.

Usage notes

Argument instances are used to test the validity of argument forms. A valid argument form yields only valid argument instances; an invalid argument form has at least one invalid instance. Substitutions must be uniform: the same variable must be replaced by the same term throughout. e.g. Given the argument form: All A are B; x is A; therefore x is B. An argument instance is: All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore Socrates is mortal.

Antonyms

• argument form
• argument schema