Argumentation and Critical Decision Making

Description

Table of Contents

• Preface

Part One Principles

1. Defining Argumentation
   • Elements of Argumentation
   • Elements of Critical Decision Making
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
2. Appraising Argumentation
   • Argumentation and Being Reasonable
   • The Bases of Reason in Argumentation
   • Starting Points for Argumentation
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
3. Making Sense of Argumentation
   • Some Ways of Making Sense
   • Alternative Dispute Resolution
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
4. The Nature of Arguments
   • The Model of an Argument
   • Reasoning Processes
   • Definitions as Argument
   • The Analysis of Arguments
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
5. Analysis in Argumentation
   • Critical Analysis to Find a Proposition
   • Critical Analysis of a Proposition
   • Analysis of Claims
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
6. Case Building
   • Preliminary Steps in Case Building
   • Developing a Convincing Vision
   • Communication to Specific Decision Makers
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises

Part Two Tools

1. Support: Evidence
   • Forms of Evidence
   • General Principles for the Use of Evidence
   • Sphere Dependence of Evidence
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
2. Support: Values
   • Characteristics of Values
   • Values Appear in Systems
   • Values Define Ethics
   • General Principles for the Use of Values
   • Sphere Dependence of Values
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
3. Support: Credibility
   • Characteristics of Credibility
   • Forms of Credibility
   • General Principles for the Use of Credibility
   • Sphere Dependence of Credibility
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
4. Refutation
   • The Process of Refutation
   • Approaching Refutation
   • Setting a Framework for Refutation
   • Selecting a Posture for Refutation
   • Communicating Refutation
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
5. Refutation by Fallacy Claims
   • Views of Fallacy
   • Social Guides to Fallacy Claims
   • Using Fallacy Claims in Refutation
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises

Part Three Applications

1. Argumentation in Law
   • Narratives in Legal Argumentation
   • Arguments on the Law
   • Commonplaces in Legal Argumentation
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
2. Argumentation in Science
   • What is Science?
   • Scientific Values
   • The Tradition of Argumentation in Science
   • Scientific Use of Argument Types
   • Scientific Use of Evidence
   • Scientific Method as Argument
   • Conclusion
   • Project s/Exercises
3. Argumentation in Religion
   • Major Questions in Religious Argumentation
   • Evidence in Religious Argumentation
   • Preferred Argument Forms
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
4. Argumentation in Business
   • Starting Points for Business Argumentation
   • Forms of Support in Business Argumentation
   • Conclusion
   • Projects/Exercises
5. Argumentation in Government and Politics
   • The Nature of Political Argumentation
   • Argumentation in Government and Politics
   • Argumentation in Legislative Action
   • Argumentation in Political Campaigns
   • The Special Role of Debates
   • Refutation in the Political Campaign

Conclusion

Projects/Exercises

References

Name Index

Subject Index

• The audience-oriented approach of this text promotes the author’s point that the audience is vital to understanding argumentation and teaches students to analyze the audience when preparing an argument.
• Current research and examples throughout the text exemplify argumentation for students and allow them to apply the course material in a relevant way.
• Real-world examples clarify concepts and help students see the importance of argumentation skills in their daily lives. 
• Coverage of language is integrated throughout the text, reinforcing for students the importance of word selection in all aspects of argument.
• Unique student “Projects” at the end of each chapter get students actively involved in the material, applying principles learned in the text to real life.

The first and most thoroughly developed audience-oriented argumentation text, Argumentation and Critical Decision Making presents argumentation as a cooperative, communicative process.

This text examines the general principles of argument in a rigorous yet readable manner and then applies those principles to different spheres of life – law, science, religion, business, government, and politics – to explore how conventions of argument change when applied to these real-world arenas. Focusing on the dynamics of decision making and using real-life examples to illustrate principles, Argumentation and Critical Decision Making aims to help readers develop practical argumentation skills within the world of their daily lives.

• A newly introduced visual program throughout the book sets off text to break up the words, give the reader some relief, and highlight particularly important material.
• Chapter 6 on Case Building is substantially revised to focus on more common experiences students face preparing a comprehensive set of arguments for a proposition in a presentation, essay, memorandum, paper, editorial, thesis, article, or blog . This provides readers with a wider range of argumentation platforms.
• Chapter 14 has been enhanced by acknowledging the role of other religions of the world that are increasingly important in western nations, aside from Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition, broadening the discussion of religion in argumentation.
• Nature of Arguments includes a revised discussion of arguments and appears earlier in the text to create a more clear and comprehensive understanding of argumentation.
• Chapter 3 “Making Sense of Argumentation” is significantly revised to reflect some of the practical applications of feminist and other scholarship that emphasizes more collaborative approaches to disputes.

The first and most thoroughly developed audience-oriented argumentation text has been updated to its 8^th edition: Argumentation and Critical Decision Making presents argumentation as a cooperative, communicative process. This text examines the general principles of argument in a rigorous yet readable manner and then applies those principles to different spheres of life — law, science, religion, business, government, and politics — to explore how conventions of argument change when applied to these real-world arenas. Focusing on the dynamics of decision making and using real-life examples to illustrate principles, Argumentation and Critical Decision Making aims to help readers develop practical argumentation skills within the world of their daily lives.