25 Good Arguments: The Ultimate List (So You'll Never Run Out Again).

“That's a good argument”.

These are the words you love to hear. If your interlocutor says them, you're on the right track to convincing. But don't get carried away: nothing is certain yet!

Arguments are never definitive; they accumulate and respond to each other in a haphazard fashion. But you must learn to choose them, because arguments are the bricks on which your rhetorical edifice rests. Without them, how can you convey images in your interlocutor's mind, arouse emotions?

Without good arguments, you may be able to seduce, but it's hard to convince.

But what exactly is a “good” argument? A good argument is either rigorous or effective.

A rigorous argument is one that respects logical reasoning and is based on observable reality and verifiable data. To refute it, you need to be able to find an equally solid, well-informed counterargument.

An effective argument is one that is highly persuasive. Whether or not it respects logical reasoning and factual reality is irrelevant. Generally speaking, it has a great impact on a specific audience, but none on another.

Rhetoric has no fixed boundaries. Arguments appear, grow, change, disappear and sometimes reappear. Certain types of argument that were once powerful no longer have any impact today.

It's impossible to draw up an exhaustive list, but it is possible to classify them into 4 broad categories: framing, community, authority, analogy.

All the examples we're going to give to illustrate the different types of argument will concern “advocacy for the climate and environmental emergency in Europe”.

1. Framing arguments

They consist in basing the validity of a proposition on aspects of reality that are consistent with our thesis (and, of course, leaving in the shadows those that are consistent with a different thesis). Argument based on reported facts

"Just ten years ago, summers in Southern Europe were temperate and enjoyable. Now, unprecedented heatwaves are becoming the norm, causing wildfires and droughts. This rapid change in weather patterns is clear evidence of accelerating climate change, necessitating immediate environmental interventions."

Argument based on statistics

"A recent report from the European Environment Agency states that air pollution causes over 400,000 premature deaths annually across Europe. These alarming statistics underline the urgent need for policies that drastically reduce emissions and protect public health."

Argument based on a definition

"Climate change isn't just about melting ice caps; it's about entire ecosystems collapsing, food security being threatened, and millions of people facing displacement. This broader definition of climate change stresses the critical urgency of our response."

Argument based on association

"Intensive agriculture is not only depleting soil nutrients but also contributing to river pollution. This association between farming practices and water quality degradation shows that sustainable agriculture is essential for preserving our freshwater resources."

Argument based on dissociation

"Encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles doesn't mean banning all petrol cars immediately. Urban areas with high pollution levels require different solutions compared to rural areas where public transport is limited. Addressing these issues requires tailored approaches."

Argument based on historical comparison

"In the 20th century, European countries rebuilt after two world wars, showing resilience and collaboration. Today, facing the global threat of climate change, we must harness that same spirit of unity and innovation to safeguard our future."

Argument based on geographical comparison

"While Scandinavian countries have successfully integrated renewable energy into their national grids, other parts of Europe lag behind. To truly lead in environmental sustainability, countries like Spain and Italy must accelerate their green energy initiatives."

Argument by comparing individuals or institutions

"Company A claims to lead in environmental responsibility, yet it still heavily invests in fossil fuels. In contrast, Company B has committed to 100% renewable energy. This discrepancy highlights the need for consistent actions matching environmental claims."

Argument based on precedent

"During the financial crisis, European governments implemented unprecedented economic stimulus packages. Similarly, to combat the climate crisis, we must be willing to invest heavily in green infrastructure and sustainable technologies."

Argument based on law

"The European Union's Green Deal legally commits member states to net-zero emissions by 2050. Compliance with this law is not optional; it is a binding commitment that requires immediate and sustained action from all member countries."

Argument based on economics

"Investing in green technology is not just environmentally responsible; it is economically advantageous. The renewable energy sector is projected to create over a million new jobs in Europe by 2030, driving economic growth while combating climate change."

Argument based on health

"According to the World Health Organization, exposure to air pollution is linked to respiratory diseases and premature deaths. Reducing emissions will significantly improve public health, especially for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly."

Argument based on philosophy

"Philosopher Hans Jonas argues for the 'imperative of responsibility,' which obligates us to act in the interest of future generations. Addressing climate change is not just a practical necessity but a moral duty to ensure a livable planet for those who come after us."

2. Community values arguments

Community-based arguments consist of validating theories based on shared values and beliefs.

Unlike framing arguments, which are built on factual data, community-based arguments rely on superior moral values such as tradition, equality, and wisdom. For this reason, the effectiveness of community-based arguments depends on the audience sharing these premises.

Here are some examples: Argument based on tradition

"Throughout history, European communities have celebrated seasonal cycles and lived in harmony with nature. Embracing ecological living means reviving these age-old traditions of sustainability and respect for the natural world."

Argument based on religion

"The encyclical 'Laudato Si' by Pope Francis calls on all people to care for our common home. Protecting the environment is a sacred duty that aligns with our religious commitment to stewardship of God's creation."

Argument based on morality

"It is morally indefensible to allow the destruction of our planet's ecosystems, jeopardizing the future of countless species and our own children. Ethical living demands that we take urgent action to preserve the Earth."

Argument based on the wisdom of great people

"As Mahatma Gandhi once said, 'The earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.' We must heed his wisdom and adopt sustainable practices to ensure the planet's resources are available for future generations."

Argument based on popular wisdom

"There's an old saying, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' Taking proactive measures to combat climate change now will save us from far more severe consequences in the future."

Argument based on a given word

"During the climate summit, our leaders pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Upholding this commitment is essential to honor the trust placed in them by the public and to ensure a sustainable future."

Argument based on equality

"Climate justice is fundamentally about equality. The wealthiest nations contribute most to global emissions, yet it is the poorest communities that suffer the greatest impacts. We must act to rectify this imbalance and promote global environmental equity."

Argument based on freedom

"We currently have the freedom to choose sustainable practices and invest in green technologies. If we fail to act now, future generations may face severe restrictions and hardships imposed by an uninhabitable environment."

3. Authority arguments Authority arguments consist of establishing the validity of a proposition based on the credibility of a person or an institution, which is mentioned within the argument.

Something we are presenting is relevant because it’s claimed by a source that is trustworthy. There are several possible levels of authority mobilized: the higher the level, the more rigorous the argument tends to be. We will distinguish three types. Argument based on testimony

"A renowned Italian vintner shares that in his 40 years of wine production, he has never seen the grape harvests disrupted by weather extremes as much as in recent years. This firsthand account underscores the urgent reality of climate change."

Argument based on expertise

"A leading climatologist from the University of Cambridge warns that if we do not drastically reduce our carbon footprint, European cities will face unprecedented heatwaves and flooding, making everyday life increasingly challenging. His expertise emphasizes the need for immediate lifestyle and consumption changes."

Argument based on science

"A comprehensive meta-analysis of climate studies published in top scientific journals reveals a consensus: without significant lifestyle and consumption changes, the future of human life on Earth will be fraught with severe hardships due to climate change. This scientific evidence demands urgent action."

4. Analogy arguments

Analogy arguments consist of establishing the validity of a proposition by drawing a comparison between the present situation and another, considered similar.

It is important to clearly distinguish between analogy arguments and comparison arguments. The latter are simply framing arguments of reality. They merely compare two equivalent situations belonging to the same homogeneous set: two countries with each other, two eras with each other...

In the case of analogy arguments, we create the comparison from scratch: it was not obvious before we put it forward. Its lever of effectiveness is our ability to produce an association that is both evident, surprising, and enlightening. Unlike other categories, analogy arguments are relatively uniform. Here are two illustrations: Example No. 1

"Ignoring climate change is like continuing to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic as it sinks. Our denial and inaction are leading us towards inevitable disaster."

Example No. 2

"Our approach to consumer electronics is akin to a child endlessly demanding new toys without considering their necessity or the environmental cost. With the rush to implement AI technologies, we must first evaluate their true need and environmental impact before widespread adoption."

In these two examples, analogies themselves are holding the essence of the argumentation, guiding the judgment on the presented situation. The situation is presented as absurd in the first illustration and irresponsible in the second. This is one of the main characteristics of analogies: they allow meaning to be condensed into an image. Behind analogies, there are often unformulated arguments. The analogy serves as the entire argument.

5. A Never-Ending, Ever-Changing List

Today we have seen lots of arguments one might consider when advocating for proactive climate action.

Among them, some are very rigorous: for instance, the science-based argument. Others are much less so: the popular wisdom argument, for example. Some can be effective with a broad audience: the health argument, which concerns us all. Others, conversely, are only relevant to very specific audiences: the religious argument is a good illustration.

 Above all, this list is by no means exhaustive. Imagination knows no bounds. It is always possible to come up with new ideas or new variations. One of the best illustrations of this is indeed... ecology, which has today become an entire community-based argument!

Case Study: During a vacation with friends, someone in the group suddenly suggests, "How about we make a pineapple cake for dessert?" Everyone agrees: "Great idea!" I, however, grimace: I hate pineapple. But I know I can't just protest foolishly. I'd come off as a killjoy, opposing the majority, and end up watching everyone else enjoy their refined dessert. So, I choose a different tactic and feign surprise: "Really? You're going to buy a fruit grown in greenhouses thousands of kilometers away? When it's apricot season here? There are plenty in the region: maybe we could make an apricot tart instead?" Reluctant to appear irresponsible, my friends go along with my suggestion. As for me, I can't wait to enjoy my favorite tart...

Decryption: Here, we relied on the fact that our friends were already convinced of the importance of fighting climate change. Ecology is here a means to win their conviction. An argument in itself!

That’s all for today, thanks for reading. See you next Wednesday ! Stay tuned !