Title

The Elements of Argument: Six Steps To A Thick Theory

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2013

Publication Title

What Do We Know About the World? Rhetorical and Argumentative Perspectives (Windsor Studies in Argumentation)

Volume

1

First Page

6

Keywords

the future of argumentation theory, thick theory of arguments, thin theory of arguments

Last Page

28

Abstract

In the last quarter-century, the emergence of argumentation theory has spurred the development of an extensive literature on the study of argument. It encompasses empirical and theoretical investigations that often have their roots in the different traditions that have studied argument since ancient times – most notably, logic, rhetoric, and dialectics. Against this background, I advocate a “thick” theory of argument that merges traditional theories, weaving together their sometimes discordant approaches to provide an overarching framework for the assessment of arguments in a broad range of contexts. In sketching such a theory, I propose six steps that can “thicken” traditional approaches to argument in the interests of a comprehensive theory.

Comments

The Windsor Studies in Argumentation Series, is available here: http://windsor.scholarsportal.info/omp/index.php/wsia/index

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