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Understanding Argumentation and Its Forms

This document discusses understanding argumentation and its forms. It begins by defining argumentation as discourse used to persuade others about the truth or falsity of a disputed matter. Argumentation uses both persuasion, which appeals to emotions, and conviction, which appeals to logical reason. The proportion of persuasion and conviction used depends on factors like the audience and the speaker's goal. Propaganda and brainwashing are also discussed as specialized forms of argumentation that manipulate audiences. Types of reasoning like deductive, inductive, and syllogisms are explained. The document concludes by identifying some common faulty reasoning techniques to avoid.

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46 views

Understanding Argumentation and Its Forms

This document discusses understanding argumentation and its forms. It begins by defining argumentation as discourse used to persuade others about the truth or falsity of a disputed matter. Argumentation uses both persuasion, which appeals to emotions, and conviction, which appeals to logical reason. The proportion of persuasion and conviction used depends on factors like the audience and the speaker's goal. Propaganda and brainwashing are also discussed as specialized forms of argumentation that manipulate audiences. Types of reasoning like deductive, inductive, and syllogisms are explained. The document concludes by identifying some common faulty reasoning techniques to avoid.

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margilyn ramos
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Module 6

Understanding Argumentation and its


Forms
Understanding Argumentation and its
Forms
Argumentation is that form of discourse by
means of which we try to persuade others
about the truth or falsify of a disputed
matter.
Persuasion and Conviction
Argumentation uses persuasion and conviction.

Persuasion appeals to the emotions; it seeks to produce action.

Conviction appeals mainly to logical reason; it seeks to move the mind.


Argumentation seeks to persuade others that certain ideas
are true or false (conviction) and to encourage them to act in
accordance with the truths presented and accepted
(persuasion).
Persuasion is an important part of argumentation because
conviction alone is likely to leave a person cold and unmoved.
A man maybe convinced by an argument that smoking is
cancer-producing, but he may still not give up the habit of
smoking unless he is persuaded.
The proportion of conviction and persuasion
in an argument depends on several factors:
1. If the audience is highly educated and intelligent, more conviction
should be used.
2. If the audience is hostile and indifferent, more persuasion should be
employed.
3. If the speaker wants to produce action, he should use more
persuasion. Debaters as a rule use more conviction while political
speeches and editorials use more persuasion.
Propaganda
Propaganda presents only one side of proposition and is sustained,
organized attempt to make others accept a decision and act in
accordance with that decision.
Business establishments make use of extensive propaganda in the
form of advertisements. Its purpose is to influence and manipulate your
opinions, emotions, attitudes or behaviors.
It seeks to “guide your choice” by exaggerating the truth and hidden
messages.
One example of Propaganda
• Bandwagon- “Everybody is doing this.” “If
you want to fit in, you must join the
bandwagon and do it too”.
Example: If the whole world uses Colgate,
you should use it too.
Brainwashing
• It is a type of argument that uses coercion. Coercion is the use of
force or the threat of force. Brainwashing uses rigidly controlled
persuasion and propaganda in a mixture of sound and spurious
arguments.
• The techniques of brainwashing typically involve isolation from former
associates and sources of information; an exacting regimen requiring
absolute obedience and humility; strong social pressures and rewards
for cooperation; physical and psychological punishments for non-
cooperation ranging from social exclusion, criticism, deprivation of
food, sleep, and social contacts, torture; and continual reinforcement.
Types of Reasoning
• Deductive Reasoning proceeds from general statement to its
particular applications. One good example of deductive reasoning is
syllogism.
What is syllogism?
Syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning where you arrive at a
specific conclusion by examining two other premises or ideas. Syllogism
derives from the Greek word syllogismos, meaning conclusion or
inference.
Example of Syllogism
• Some syllogisms contain three components:
• Major Premise
• Minor Premise
• Conclusion
For example, all roses are flowers (major premise). This
is a rose (minor premise). Therefore, I am holding a
flower (conclusion).
• Inductive Reasoning proceeds from particular instances to a
general conclusion. The danger in inductive reasoning lies in
the temptation to make a generalization that is too hasty. We
often generalize on the basis of insufficient particulars.

Example:
The left-handed people I know use left-handed scissors;
therefore, all left-handed people use left-handed scissors.
In the summer, there are ducks on our pond. Therefore,
summer will bring ducks to our pond.
Recognizing and Identifying Faulty
Reasoning
1. Lack of understanding of terms. All terms used in an argument
must be clearly defined.
2. Hasty generalization. Enough cases should support the conclusion
arrived at. Do not jump to a conclusion after an insufficient number
of examples.
3. Opinions substituted for fact. Opinions are just that-opinions- and
they should not be taken as facts.
4. Misuse of facts. Be sure facts, not just half-truths are given.
5. Lack of reliable authority. Authorities must be reputable, recognized
as authorities, and up-to-date. They should be identified by name. Such
terms as “They say,” “Everyone knows,” “It is said,” etc., should not be
used as authority.
6. Name-calling. This fault in reasoning seriously weakens an argument
and should be avoided. It shows lack of emotional control and has no
logical basis.
• Conditional statements will be discussed next
meeting...

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