An argument is “a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.”. If you just claim something — li

An argument is “a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.”. If you just claim something — like that Pi is 3.14 — without supporting it, it’s not an argument. You are free to assert whatever you want — there is no obligation to offer an argument. It is when you undertake to convince — in any context — that you accept a burden of proof. This is the case in logic, law, public policy...in those areas where we are looking for shared agreement and shared understanding. We can’t ask that others believe us “just because”.