high argument

Dear Martin Kmín,

It is in my opinion «a matter for serious and important debate». It is a question about essential things.

It is a term in computer programming also.

Googling suggests that it has both epistemological and cybernetic associations. Can you give us further context?

Well, I suppose I have a general idea of what this means, but in literature, there can be sometimes found a reference to a Biblical, Milton's or Wordswoth's high argument. I wonder what it alludes to in these specific contexts.

My guess--in those contexts, 'high argument' = lofty, principled, high-minded, critical, of essential value, definitive, profound, deeply considered, involving superior insight--that kind of thing.

"Argument" in a poetic context can mean "the principal theme of the poem".

So you might say that Milton's "high argument" in Paradise Lost is "to justify the ways of *** to men" (I.26); while Wordworth's in The Prelude is to depict "the growth of a poet's mind".

The "high arguments" of each of the books of the Old and New Testament would take a little longer to summarise.

Thank you a lot, that s perfectly sufficient.