Argument vs. Explanation — What's the Difference?

A series of reasons presented to persuade.

A statement that makes something clear.

A discussion involving differing points of view.

A clarification of causes, context, or relations.

A summary of a book or article's theme.

A statement to interpret or elucidate.

A mathematical or logical series of statements.

An explanation is a set of statements usually constructed to describe a set of facts which clarifies the causes, context, and consequences of those facts. This description may establish rules or laws, and may clarify the existing rules or laws in relation to any objects, or phenomena examined.Explanation, in philosophy, is a set of statements that makes intelligible the existence or occurrence of an object, event, or state of affairs.

A reason or set of reasons given in support.

The act or process of explaining

In logic and philosophy, an argument is a series of statements (in a natural language), called the premises or premisses (both spellings are acceptable), intended to determine the degree of truth of another statement, the conclusion. The logical form of an argument in a natural language can be represented in a symbolic formal language, and independently of natural language formally defined "arguments" can be made in math and computer science.

Something that explains

An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one

A mutual clarification of misunderstandings; a reconciliation.

A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory

The act or process of explaining.

An independent variable associated with a function or proposition and determining its value. For example, in the expression y = F(x₁, x₂), the arguments of the function F are x₁ and x₂, and the value is y.

Something that explains, makes understandable.

Any of the noun phrases in a clause that are related directly to the verb, typically the subject, direct object, and indirect object.

A resolution of disputed points pursuant to discussion; a mutual clarification of disputed points; reconciliation.

A summary of the subject matter of a book.

The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.

A discussion in which the parties involved express disagreement with one another; a debate

That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.

An angry discussion involving disagreement among the participants; a quarrel

The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense.

(Archaic) A reason or matter for dispute or contention

A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.

A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood

A statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.;

A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason

Thought that makes something comprehensible

A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others.

The act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible;

A summary or short statement of the plot or subject of a literary work.

A reason given for an action or event.

A topic; a subject

A description of how something works.

(Logic) The minor premise in a syllogism.

The independent variable of a function.

The angle of a complex number measured from the positive horizontal axis.

(Computers) A value used to evaluate a procedure or subroutine.

(Linguistics) A word, phrase, or clause in a semantic relation with a word or phrase and that helps complete the meaning of that word or phrase, such as a noun phrase that is the object of a verb. The clause that we go is an argument of the verb suggest in the sentence I suggest that we go.

A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

A series of propositions organized so that the final proposition is a conclusion which is intended to follow logically from the preceding propositions, which function as premises.

(countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation.

(countable) An abstract or summary of the content of a literary work such as a book, a poem or a major section such as a chapter, included in the work before the content itself; (figuratively) the contents themselves.

(countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel.

Any dispute, altercation, or collision.

Any of the phrases that bears a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.

The independent variable of a function.

The phase of a complex number.

A quantity on which the calculation of another quantity depends.

A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function.

A parameter at a function call; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter.

A matter in question; a business in hand.

The subject matter of an artistic representation, discourse, or writing; a theme or topic.

Evidence, proof; (countable) an item of such evidence or proof.

To put forward as an argument; to argue.

To adduce evidence, to provide proof.

Proof; evidence.

A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it.

A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.

The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.

Matter for question; business in hand.

The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction.

The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends.

To make an argument; to argue.

A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true;

A contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement;

A discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal;

A summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie;

A variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable

While an Argument seeks to persuade, an Explanation aims to clarify or describe a concept or event.

Yes, a well-constructed Argument might use Explanations to reinforce its points.

No, Arguments can be constructive and are not always confrontational. They can be tools for healthy discussion.

Absolutely, an effective Explanation can serve as a foundation or supporting detail within an Argument.

Structure in an Argument helps organize reasons and evidence, making the case more compelling and easier to follow.

A common mistake is confusing Argument with mere contradiction, rather than presenting structured reasons.

Not necessarily. While disagreements might lead to Arguments, they can also be resolved through discussion without formal arguments.

People provide Explanations to make a concept, situation, or event comprehensible to others.

Yes, while Explanations aim to clarify, they can sometimes be influenced by personal perspectives or biases.

The main purpose of an Argument is persuasion, aiming to convince the audience of a particular viewpoint.

It's best to approach with an open mind, seeking understanding rather than challenging the Explanation being given.

While some Arguments can reach a consensus, others might remain open-ended, with evolving perspectives and information.

Yes, as more information or understanding emerges, Explanations can evolve or be refined.

An Explanation is often used in educational settings, like when teachers explain topics to students.

Ideally, Explanations should be factual, but they can sometimes include interpretations or subjective elements.