1. Argument as Inquiry Chapter 2

2. “Is it possible in America today to convince anyone of anything he [or she] doesn’t already believe?”

3. “When should I change my mind?” “How can I change your mind?”
Should ask,
“When should I change my mind?”
RATHER THAN
“How can arguers participate in a ‘mingling of the minds’ and use argument productively to seek answers to problems?”
“How can I change your mind?”

4. To position ourselves as inquirers as well as persuaders:
engage thoughtfully with alternate points of view
truly listen to other perspectives
examine own values and assumptions
PERHAPS change views

5. Thinker’s goal: live with questions
acknowledge uncertainty and complexity
Thinker’s goal:
resist settling for simple or quick answers

6. plastic surgery recipient
Inventory of communities to which you belong
Controversy within those communities
Narrow list of problematic issues
List of related issues
TV binge watcher
Baptist
plastic surgery recipient
chocoholic
rock music fan
parent
Brainstorm
diabetic
hunter
sunbather
biker
smoker
vegan
democrat

7. Exploring Ideas by Freewriting
writing on issue nonstop
(remember “relax, relax, relax” and “I’m stuck”)
Now you try:

9. Exploring Ideas by Idea Mapping
Place “trigger idea” in center of circle and ideas in branches and subbranches

10. Believing and Doubting Game
First, write as if you are wholly sympathetic to the idea.
Suspend disbelief--Find/list reasons to believe
Then, write as a judgmental or critical reading.
Find best counterexamples and inconsistencies