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4.2 Main Contention

In a multi-layer argument, the topmost contention is called the main contention.  The first reason bearing upon it is known as a primary reason; the next as a secondary reason; and so forth.

As we will see in Tutorial 5, the secondary reason forms a simple argument with one of the premises of the primary reason as its contention.  Thus there are many contentions; only one is the main contention. 

The main contention is the only contention which is free-standing, i.e., not also a premise in some other reason or objection.

The main contention of a multi-layer argument is the one at the top level.  It is the only contention which is not also a premise in another simple argument.