Arguers as Lovers by Wayne Brockriede

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Arguers as Loversby Wayne Brockriede
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The Importance of the Arguer in Argumentation

• The arguer is a necessary element in a theory or
  philosophy of argument.
• Unlike the study of logic, the study of
  argumentation cannot ignore the arguer.
• The paradigm case of argumentation involves one
  person arguing with another.

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Three Stances Arguers May Take in Relationship to
Co-arguers.

• Rape
• Seduction
• Love

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Rape

• Not interested in warranted assent, but power,
  commands, threats and coercion.
• The relationship is unilateral.
• Co-arguer is seen as an object to be conquered.
• Co-arguer is seen as an inferior human being.

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Seduction

• The seducer conquers not by force but by charm or
  deceit.
• Sees the relationship as unilateral.
• Indifferent to the identity and value of the
  co-arguer.
• Indifferent to the humanity of the co-arguer.

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Love

• Sees co-arguer as lover rather than victim.
• Sees the relationship as a bilateral one.
• Sees the co-arguer as a person.
• Seeks a position of power parity.

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• No lover worthy of the name would wish to secure
  assent through argument unless that assent were
  knowingly and freely given.
• Or . . . No lover worthy of the name seeks love
  that is not knowingly and freely given.