1. Arguing with People Arguing With People By Michael A. Gilbert Professor of Philosophy York University Canada Broadview Press 2014

2. Arguing with People Part Three Arguing with People

3. Arguing with People 3 Good Arguments  Arguments come in many types:  Serious and silly  Long and short  Weak and powerful  Casual and well thought out  Also in kinds – inquiry, negotiation, persuasion.  What is good and bad depends on what kind it is © M.A. Gilbert 2014

4. Arguing with People 4 Heuristic/ Eristic  Heuristic arguments are cooperative and mutually supportive.  Eristic arguments are ones where one person wants to “win” at any cost.  You need to be aware of how heuristic or eristic your partner is and how heuristic or eristic you are.  People tend to more heuristic when they do not feel threatened. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

5. Arguing with People 5 Ethos  Refers to reputation and character.  For us it also includes personal history and previous relationships and interactions.  Someone’s ethos may vary according to the area or context.  Ethos can be strengthened or damaged through behavior and personal actions. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

6. Arguing with People 6 Audience  In every situation we know or imagine we know something about our audience.  We always share some common beliefs and values with our audience.  We present ourselves according to our audience.  We assume audience members have some homogeneity. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

7. Arguing with People 7 Agreement  You always want to begin an argument with agreement.  Regardless of kind of argument, you need to dig until you find some common belief or goal.  You can even use commonly held beliefs called loci, as a starting point.  If you cannot find any mutual beliefs, you are not likely to have a useful argument. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

8. Arguing with People 8 Watching & Listening  You need to pay attention to the argument.  Not to think about your reply.  Not just to the words, but the feelings as well.  You must listen to the message and not just the words.  Trust your instincts:  If the words do not match the emotions, believe the emotions. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

9. Arguing with People 9 Beliefs  Every belief we have has a different degree of tenacity.  Some, usually the most boring ones, are very hard to change, E.g., I’m sitting at my desk.  Others, can be changed fairly easily. E.g., our appointment is for next Tuesday.  Most fall in between, and especially if they are value beliefs and not “facts.” © M.A. Gilbert 2014

10. Arguing with People 10 The Most Important Belief REMEMBER － No matter what-you may be wrong!  Any belief may turn out to be wrong or have a counter example.  1 + 1 =2 is obvious, but if you add two colors, you just get one.  Being a skeptic is healthy for encountering the beliefs of others and especially your own. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

11. Arguing with People 11 Everything I know to be absolutely true is in the box below. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

12. Arguing with People 12 The Rules  Rarely followed strictly.  “Don’t put forward a statement you do not believe.”  Does not always apply to negotiations.  May be put forward “for argument’s sake.”  May help the argument. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

13. Arguing with People 13 Critical Thinking  Focuses on internal relations of arguments.  Relation of reasons (premisses) to claims (conclusions).  Lines of support between connected arguments.  Fallacies are used as a way of judging arguments.  Critical Thinking is extremely important and useful.  The tools it teaches are invaluable. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

14. Arguing with People 14 RSA Triangle  One set of rules introduced by Johnson & Blair (1977) often adopted and adapted.  Relevance: are the premisses relevant to the conclusion?  Sufficiency: is there enough support from the premisses for the conclusion?  Acceptability: are the premisses true? © M.A. Gilbert 2014

15. Arguing with People 15 Fairness  Emphasized in English and Rhetoric courses.  Forms the basis of the pragma-dialectic school of Amsterdam.  No one should be prevented from making an argument, defending it, or critiquing their partner’s.  This is the idea: we are all equal and fair. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

16. Arguing with People 16 Social Rules  Different contexts call for different rules.  Behavior at a rock concert is very different from a symphony.  Arguing in Tokyo has different rules than arguing in New York.  Arguing in a pub is different from arguing at work.  In familiar situations we usually know the rules.  If the rules aren’t working – stop and assess. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

17. Arguing with People 17 Following Rules  We don’t follow rules strictly.  We often go over the speed limit to an extent.  But we disapprove of someone at racing speeds.  What we want mostly is courtesy and reasonableness.  Don’t be a slave to the rules, but don’t flout them either. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

18. Arguing with People 18 The Idea Arguer  Reasonable  Uses evidence, believes that arguments matter.  Not Dogmatic  Allows for possibility of being wrong.  Good listener  Wants to understand, is interested.  Empathetic  Wants to see your point of view. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

19. Arguing with People 19 Golden Rule Argue with someone as you would want to be argued with.  What are the kinds of arguments you respect?  Who are the arguers you respect?  How do you want your audience to behave?  What kind of listener do you want to speak with? © M.A. Gilbert 2014

20. Arguing with People 20 Coalescent Argumentation  Things coalesce when they come together and merge.  Begin your argument with points of agreement.  Follow the lines of argument until you find the divergence.  Work with your partner to see if there is another way to satisfy your joint goals. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

21. Arguing with People 21 Agreement  Ideally arguments end in agreement,  In an inquiry we agree that a solution or belief is the best.  In a persuasion dialogue one of us comes round to the other, or we find a middle place.  In negotiation we both feel that we got a good deal. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

22. Arguing with People 22 More Agreement  If you do not begin with agreement then it is unlikely you will end with it.  Need to look at all the modes of the argument: logical, emotional, physical and kisceral.  Need to understand and respect your partner’s goals.  Need to look at the information being conveyed, as well as the words. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

23. Arguing with People 23 Your Increased Arsenal  These are the skills you have added.  Be aware of the stage or argument.  Be aware of the mode the argument is in.  Begin as the ideal arguer.  Begin believing your partner is an ideal arguer.  Let the rules reveal themselves.  Begin with points of agreement.  Include and respect your partner’s goals and values. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

24. Arguing with People 24 The End  Alongside your Critical Thinking tools and skills, the material here can enable you to argue better and forge longer lasting strong agreements.  Being flexible and listening sympathetically are your strongest points.  Use them. © M.A. Gilbert 2014

25. Arguing with People 25 End of part 3 © M.A. Gilbert 2014