Loosely associated statements explained

A loosely associated statement is a type of simple non-inferential passage wherein statements about a general subject are juxtaposed but make no inferential claim.[1] As a rhetorical device, loosely associated statements may be intended by the speaker to infer a claim or conclusion, but because they lack a coherent logical structure any such interpretation is subjective as loosely associated statements prove nothing and attempt no obvious conclusion.[2] Loosely associated statements can be said to serve no obvious purpose, such as illustration or explanation.[3]

Included statements can be premises, conclusions or both, and both true or false, but missing from the passage is a claim that any one statement supports another.

Examples

In A concise introduction to logic, Hurley demonstrates the concept with a quote by Lao-Tzu:

While each clause in the quote may seem related to the others, each provides no reason to believe another.

Notes and References

  1. Book: A Concise Introduction to Logic 10th ed. . Thompson Wadsworth . Hurley, Patrick J. . 2008 . 17 . 978-0-495-50383-5.
  2. Web site: The logic of arguments . April 28, 2012.
  3. Web site: NONargument - Loosely associated statements . April 28, 2012.