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