Chapter 1 Argument: An Introduction
-
Upload
mallika-chetan -
Category
Documents
-
view
32 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Chapter 1 Argument: An Introduction
Chapter 1Argument: An Introduction
Definition of argument:“Over the centuries, philosophers and
rhetoricians have disagreed about the meaning of the term…”
It’s about TRUTH!
Oh no, it isn’t!
It’s about winning. Duh!You are ALL
wrong, Losers!
What argument is NOT:
Argument IS:• a creative and productive activity that
engages us at high levels of inquiry and critical thinking– Think of seeking the best solution for a problem– Aims to find a desire for truth and should promote the
best belief or course of action
Arguments can be EXPLICIT or IMPLICIT
• Explicit: directly states claim and supports it with reasons and evidence
• Implicit: not overt, not stated outright
Implicit
Explicit
For Class Discussionpgs. 6-8
Assume you are explaining implicit arguments to an international exchange student who is not familiar with U.S. politics and popular culture.
Defining Features of Argument
• Claim AND justification of the claim (pg. 9)– “Yes, I can.”– “No, you can’t”– “Yes, I can.”This is a QUARREL, not and ARGUMENT.
--”But I’m sixteen years old.” Moving toward an argument, offers REASON
Necessary Conditions for Argument1) a set of two or more conflicting assertions and2) attempts to resolve the conflict through and
appeal to reason.
Good arguments clarify and support the reasons presented.
--anticipate questions--examine own beliefs
--consider and justify assumptions
Combines Truth Seeking and Persuasion
Truth Seeking Persuasion
Socrates
Socrates: valued truth
over persuasion, peels away
false arguments,
commit to the right course of
action
Sophists: professional rhetoricians
trained to win arguments, would argue
any side willing to pay
them
Sophistry is now synonymous with trickery in argument
“We are condemned (or liberated) to live in
a pluralistic, multicultural world
with competing visions of the truth.”
College Athletes Caught in Tangled Web
• A. frat students• B. non-athletes• C. faculty members• D. women’s basketball coach• E. tennis coach• F. athletic director• G. ACLU rep• H. Dean of Students