Argument schemes

Cui Bono — argument from benefit

Infers a likely actor from who stands to gain. Benefit is a reason to look, never a proof of guilt.

Its critical questions

A claim inferred by this scheme is provisional: it stands only while these stay open or favourable, and an unfavourable answer withdraws the inference.

• Does the named party actually benefit?
• Does anyone else benefit as much, or more?
• Does standing to gain imply having acted?

Inferred by this scheme

Nothing has been inferred by this scheme yet. Derived claims are never asserted — they appear only when the premises this scheme needs are on the record.