Introduction to
Argumentation and
Debate
“With words, we govern man.” – Benjamin Disraeli
Salirick S. Andres | College of Arts | TIP Quezon City 07/02/2020
Argumentation
“Audi alteram partem.”
Salirick S. Andres | College of Arts | TIP Quezon City 07/02/2020
Argumentation
• is generally defined as the
“art of influencing others,
through the medium of
reasoned discourse, to
believe or act as we wish
them to believe or act.”
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Argument
Derived from the Latin word “ arguere” which means “to chide”
It is the process of influencing the belief of behavior of a listener or reader, through
spoken or written speech, by supplying him with reasons and stirring his feelings.
It is a process of giving people “doxa” a Greek word which stands for “reasoned
opinion.”
The reasoned opinion is not absolute in character.
It is subject to corrigibility, falsifiability, rectifiability, testability, and rational
criticism.
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Argument
Influenc Act and
Arguer “doxa”
e do
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Tests for “doxa”
corrigibility
“you” rationality falsifiabilty “them”
rectifiabilit
testability
y
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Debate
“Audi alteram partem”
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Debate
• is a formal direct oral
contest in argumentation
between two or more
persons on a definite
proposition at a definite
time.
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Debate vs. Verbal Wrangling
Formal discourse No formalities
Artistic argumentation No trace of art is involved
Orderly exchange of opinions Mere verbal tussle
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Debate vs. Argument
Each side dispute face-to-face May not necessarily face each other
Strictly oral contest Include both oral and written
Requires a definite format/rules May or may not require set of rules
“All debates are forms of arguments, but not all forms of
arguments are debates.”
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Two approaches in
Argumentation
and Debate
“Redere auditores attentos, benevolos, y dociles”
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Two approaches
1. Conviction 2. Persuasion
Appeal to reason Appeal to emotion
The phase whereby the arguer directs The phase whereby the disputant
his words to the reasoning faculty of directs his words to the heart, the
man. sentiments and emotions.
To create belief and intellectual To stir and influence the audience
agreement
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Conviction alone…
Is merely a state of mind
Not sufficient to promote human progress
Contentious may be true but lacks depth and believability
May not stir the audience to believe in his course of belief
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Persuasion alone…
Is a pure behavioral impulse
May result to a “blind following” scheme
Instinct may not always be accurate
Emotional appeal is fleeting and unreliable
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Role of
argumentation and
debate to man’s life
“Cogito, ergo, sum.”
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1. Argumentation and debate
are fundamental
Men are in constant state of flux in searching for fundamental questions affecting
his existence.
It is innate in man’s nature to search for the truth
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2. Argumentation and debate
are universal
“All men are, by nature, gregarious” and “To be is to be related.”
Because of relations, one creates beliefs and attitudes.
These beliefs and attitudes that create action, urging them to move, act and do.
Attitude and beliefs are created, influenced and swayed through argumentation
and debate, hence, argumentation and debate is of extreme importance to men.
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3. Argumentation and debate
are indispensable
Argumentation and debate is both an art and science which aspires for mutual
understanding and beneficial relationships.
Argumentation and debate enables man to rise above all the other forms of animals
because it develops his highest faculty; the intellect and the emotion.
It makes a person well-rounded, armed with conviction and persuasive power.
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