A Systematic Theory of Argumentation: The pragma-dialectical approach

In this book two of the leading figures in argumentation theory present a view of argumentation as a means of resolving differences of opinion by testing the acceptability of the disputed positions. Their model of a ‘critical discussion’ serves as a theoretical tool for analysing, evaluating and producing argumentative discourse. They develop a method for the reconstruction of argumentative discourse that takes into account all aspects that are relevant to a critical assessment. They also propose a practical code of behaviour for discussants who want to resolve their differences in a reasonable way. This is a major contribution to the study of argumentation and will be of particular value to professionals and graduate students in speech communication, informal logic, rhetoric, critical thinking, linguistics, and philosophy.

• Sales of Walton Informal Logic indicates strength of this market • An advanced book, not a textbook, that could do very well for us given the reputation of authors (Amsterdam is major center for research in critical reasoning)

1. Introduction; 2. The realm of argumentation studies; 3. A model of a critical discussion; 4. Relevance; 5. Analysis as reconstruction; 6. Rules for a critical discussion; 7. Fallacies; 8. A code of conduct for reasonable discussants.

‘This is the most important argumentation theory in the world today. It is the only theory that incorporates a developed underlying philosophical perspective with a complete elaboration of a theory and a full account of its practical applications. It is the only theory that integrates insights from the complete range of fields in which argumentation is studied (among others: linguistics, philosophy of language, logic, communications, rhetoric) … It has had simply a huge influence on argumentation studies around the world.’

– J. Anthony Blair, University of Windsor