Methods of Argumentation

Argumentation, which can be abstractly defined as the interaction of different arguments for and against some conclusion, is an important skill to learn for everyday life, law, science, politics and business. The best way to learn it is to try it out on real instances of arguments found in everyday conversational exchanges and legal argumentation. The introductory chapter of this book gives a clear general idea of what the methods of argumentation are and how they work as tools that can be used to analyze arguments. Each subsequent chapter then applies these methods to a leading problem of argumentation. Today the field of computing has embraced argumentation as a paradigm for research in artificial intelligence and multi-agent systems. Another purpose of this book is to present and refine tools and techniques from computing as components of the methods that can be handily used by scholars in other fields.

1. Introducing some tools and basic concepts; 2. Argument attack, rebuttal, refutation, and defeat; 3. Arguments with missing parts; 4. Applying argumentation schemes; 5. Similarity, precedent, and argument from analogy; 6. Teleological argumentation to and from motives; 7. The Carneades model of scientific discovery and inquiry; 8. Fallacies, heuristics, and sophistical tactics; 9. The straw man fallacy.

Douglas Walton currently holds the Assumption Chair in Argumentation Studies and is Distinguished Research Fellow of the Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation and Rhetoric at the University of Windsor, Canada. His most recent book is Argumentation Schemes, coauthored with Chris Reed and Fabrizio Macagno (Cambridge University Press, 2008). Walton's work has been used to better prepare legal arguments and to help develop artificial intelligence. His books have been translated worldwide and he attracts students from many countries to study with him.