A First Look at Argument. The Meaning of 'Argument'an

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A First Look at Argument

• The Meaning of Argumentand appropriate argument
  behavior,

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BEHAVIORAL GOALS

• Understand the meaning of argument.
• Understand persuasion.
• Understand rhetoric.
• Understand critical thinking (CT).
• Know the proper attitudes and ethics basic to
• being a good critical thinker.

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Definitions of Argument

• Argument has three basic meanings
• A QUARREL
• A SINGLE ARGUMENT, ESPECIALLY IN THE FORMAT
  OFFERED BY STEPHEN TOULMIN
• CLAIM
• WARRANT
• GROUNDS
• A PROCESS OF DISCUSSION, DIALECTIC,
• OR DEBATE DURING WHICH MANY ARGS.
• ARE EXCHANGED.

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PERSUASION

• Its an instrumental form of communication used
  to change public opinion.
• It may work on passions more than reason.
• Persuasion is the use of images and appeals
• to change opinions and motivate audiences.
• Speeches are persuasive.
• Billboards are persuasive.
• Indeed, all advertising is persuasive.

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RHETORIC

• According to Aristotle, rhetoric is finding the
  best available means of persuasion.
• Its the process of adapting particular
  messages, to particular audiences, at
• particular times and places.
• Almost everything is potentially rhetorical,
• even a movie.

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CRITICAL THINKING

• Apply sound logic to problem solving and
• avoid common fallacies.
• There are seven basic patterns of reason
• Sign
• Parallel Reason
• Generalization
• By definition
• Cause to effect
• Dilemma
• Authority

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CRITICAL THINKING

• Learn to structure arguments a la Toulmin
• Understand the language of argument
• Build issue oriented speeches
• Practice an appropriate ethic of argument
• Hear the other fellow out before you argue
• Contain negative nonverbal responses
• Address issues rather than personalities

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CRITICAL THINKING

• R.H. Ennis added these concerns
• 1) Judge the credibility of sources.
• 2) Ask appropriate and clarifying questions.
• 3) Draw conclusions - claims for our
• purposes - when warranted.
• 4) Be well-informed.
• 5) Be open-minded.

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ATTITUDES

• Being open-minded is just one of the attitudes
  appropriate to critical thinking.
• Avoid primary certitude, a strong even
• irrational belief that you know the truth about
• a given topic.

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ATTITUDES

• Either/or thinking is a poor CT attitude.
• This is believing that everything has a simple
  yes or no answer.
• It tends to lead to stereotyping.
• Social problems are more complex.
• We evaluate probabilities, not certainties.

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ATTITUDES

• Tolerance of Ambiguity is a good CT goal.
• Sometimes theres doubt, conflicting info, or
  lack of info, even after some research.
• Dont jump to conclusions.
• Continue research.
• Stand in the presence of uncertainty.
• Recognize paradox.

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Attitude and Language

• Our use of language may reinforce poor CT.
• Exaggerations and stereotypes oversimplify.
• Euphemisms conceal social truths.
• Urban legends and rumors are enemies.
• Repeating common cultural clichés is a way that
  we reinforce an uncritical examination
• of an idea.

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CULTURAL CONDITIONING

• Its difficult to achieve CT because of CC.
• Force of repetition persuades.
• Defensiveness emerges when challenged.
• Ego-, ethno-, and socio-centric thinking
• pre-empts logical thought.
• Hidden presumptions, or assuming facts not
• in evidence, leaves us with blind spots.

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Argumentative vs. Aggressive

• Being argumentative is a positive thing.
• Understanding, not just winning, is a goal.
• Argumentative people listen and paraphrase.
• They address issues, not attack people.
• Argumentative people are open-minded, assertive,
  and capable of delivering their thoughts in
  inoffensive language.
• Theyre considered to be more employable, get
• promotions, and regarded as leaders.

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Argumentative vs. Aggressive

• Aggressive people practice poor CT.
• Attack people rather issues.
• Theyre prone to belligerence.
• They lack objectivity.
• They tend to be emotionally reactive.
• This includes nonverbal behavior like
• rolling their eyes, raising their voice, and
  making
• gestures like pointing or balling the fists.

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PRACTICAL ETHICS

• Read the school honesty policy in your student
  handbook or off the campus website.
• Recognize your responsibility to research.
• Properly cite your sources who, their
  qualifications, the publication, and the date.
• Avoid plagiarism, using the material of others
  without quotation marks or proper source
  recognition.