Linked arguments and convergent argument structures
Besides the distinction between defeasible and conclusive arguments, a
second categorisation of arguments is relevant to our purposes, namely,
the distinction between linked arguments and convergent argument
structures (see Walton 2006, 139 ff., Hitchcock 2017, Ch. 2).
A linked argument is an argument that includes, beside a conditional
warrant, more than one premises. None of these premises is sufficient to
trigger the conjunctive antecedent of the conditional warrant.
Therefore, in isolation, each of them fails to provide any (presumptive
or conclusive) support to the conclusion of that warrant. For instance,
assume the following premises (\(P_{1}\)) John drives through the city
centre, (\(P_{2}\)) his speed exceeds 50km per hour, and (\(D\)) if one
drives through the city centre, and his or her speed exceeds 50km per
hour, then one is subject to a 100 euros fine. Only jointly these
premises support (presumably) the conclusion that John is subject to a
100 Euros fine (\(Q\)). The resulting argument is depicted in Figure 2.