In a logical argument, what role do premises play?

In a logical argument, premises serve the crucial function of providing the foundational support for conclusions. Premises are statements or propositions that present evidence or reasons upon which an argument is built. They are intended to establish a basis that, when combined logically, leads to a conclusion that follows from them.

For instance, if an argument claims that “All humans are mortal” and “Socrates is a human,” the conclusion drawn would be “Socrates is mortal.” Here, the premises justify and substantiate the conclusion by providing necessary information and logical connections that the argument relies on. Without premises, it would be challenging to arrive at a logical conclusion, as the premises are what lend credibility and structure to an argument, making them indispensable in the realm of logical reasoning.