Argumentation and Debate
Argumentation and DebateArgumentationReason giving in
communicative situations by people whose purpose is the
justification of acts, beliefs, attitudes, and
values.ArgumentMature reasoning Defending not the first position
you might take on an issue but the best position, determined
through open-minded inquiry.Providing reasons for holding that
position that can earn the respect of an opposing audience.Criteria
of mature reasoningWell informedSelf-critical and open to
constructive criticismArgue with their audience or readers in
mindKnow their arguments contextAims of
argumentInquireconvincePersuadeCritical ThinkingThe ability to
analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas; to reason inductively and
deductively; and to reach factual or judgmental conclusions based
on sound inferences drawn from unambiguous statements of knowledge
or belief.Critical ThinkingLife demands decision makingThe ability
to make reasoned decisions relies on critical thinkingCritical
thinking enables analysis and evaluation of argumentsCritical
thinking improves the use of information as well as
advocacyTeaching and learning critical thinking are important roles
of educationDebate teaches critical thinkingMethods of decision
MakingDebateIndividual DecisionGroup
DecisionPropagandaCoercionCombination of MethodsDebateThe process
of inquiry and advocacy; the seeking of a reasoned judgment on a
proposition.Good reasonsReasons that are psychologically compelling
for a given audience, that make further inquiry both unnecessary
and redundanthence justifying a decision to affirm or reject a
proposition.Good ReasonsArgumentation relies on good reasonsGood
reasons are audience-based justifications for or against
propositionsGood reasons differ by audience and are therefore,
impacted by cultureArgumentation guides decision makingrhetorica
universal art of winning the mind by arguments, which means not
merely arguments in the courts of justice, and all other sorts of
public councils, but in private conference as well. -PlatoFour
Functions of RhetoricFirst, it prevents the triumph of fraud and
injustice. Aristotle argued that truth and justice are by nature
more powerful than their opposites, so when poor decisions are
made, speakers with right on their side have only themselves to
blame. Thus, it is not enough to know the right decision ourselves;
we also must be able to argue for that decision before others.Four
Functions of RhetoricSecond, rhetoric is a method of instruction
for the public. Aristotle pointed out that in some situations
scientific arguments are useless; a speaker has to educate the
audience by framing arguments with the help of common knowledge and
commonly accepted opinions. Congressional debates on health care or
tax policies are examples of this.Four Functions of RhetoricThird,
rhetoric makes us see both sides of a case. By arguing both sides,
we become aware of all aspects of the case, and we will be prepared
to refute our opponents arguments.Four Functions of RhetoricFourth,
rhetoric is a means of defense. Often knowledge of argumentation
and debate will be necessary to protect ourselves and our
interests. As Aristotle stated: If it is a disgrace to a man when
he cannot defend himself in a bodily way, it would be odd not to
think him disgraced when he cannot defend himself with
reason.persuasioncommunication intended to influence the acts,
beliefs, attitudes, and values of others.PropagandaThe use of
persuasion by a group (often a closely knit organization) in a
sustained, organized campaign using multiple media for the purpose
of influencing a mass audience.Categories of
DebateAppliedAcademicApplied Debateconducted on propositions,
questions, and topics in which the advocates have a special
interest, and the debate is presented before a judge or an audience
with the power to render a binding decision on the proposition or
respond to the question or topic in a real way.Academic
debateconducted on propositions in which the advocates have an
academic interest, and the debate typically is presented before a
teacher, judge or audience without direct power to render a
decision on the proposition.Mock trial debateA form of academic
debate that emulates trial court debating.Moot court debateAn
academic form of judicial debate used by law schools to prepare
students for courtroom debate.Applied DebateClassifications of
Applied Debatespecial debate judicial debateParliamentary
debate,nonformal debateSpecial Debateconducted under special rules
drafted for a specific occasion, such as political campaign
debates. Examples include the LincolnDouglas debatesof 1858, the
KennedyNixon debates of 1960, the BushClintonPerot debates of 1992,
the BushGore debates of 2000, BushKerry in 2004, and the series of
debates involving the candidates for the Democratic and Republican
Partys nominations during the 20072008 campaignsJudicial Debateis
conducted in the courts or before quasi-judicial bodies.Governed by
the rules of a court of law, its purpose is the prosecution or
defense of individuals charged with violation of the law or the
determination of issues of law alleged to be applicable to specific
cases before the court. Parliamentary DebateParliamentary debate is
conducted under the rules of parliamentary procedure.Its purpose is
the passage, amendment, or defeat of motions and resolutions that
come before a parliamentary assembly.The practice of parliamentary
debate may be observed in the Senate or House of Representatives,
state legislatures, city councils, and town governing bodies, and
at the business meetings of various organizations,Nonformal
Debateis conducted without the formal rules found in special,
judicial, parliamentary, and academic debate.
Examples of nonformal debate can be found in national political
campaigns, in community hearings or town hall meetings about water
pollution or new school bond issues, in business meetings about
corporate policy, in college conferences on matters of educational
policy or the allocation of funds, and in election campaigns for
student body officers.ReferenceFreeley, E. and Steinberg, D.L.
Argumentation and Debate: Critical Thinking for Reasoned decision
Making. 12th Edition.
