Douglas N. Walton considers the question of whether the conventions of informal conversation can be articulated more precisely than they are at present. Specifically, he addresses the problem of the fallacy of ad hominem argumentation as it occurs in natural settings. Can rules be formulated to determine if criticisms of apparent hypocrisy in an argument are defensible or refutable? Walton suggests that they can, and ultimately defends the thesis that ad hominem reasoning is not fallacious per se. He carries his analysis to the core of action--theoretic reasoning--by examining a number of specimen arguments. As suggested by the title, the conclusion of ad hominem argument is demonstrated to be relative to the arguer's position. In the appendixes of the book, articles by Gerald McAuliffe and Gordon R. Lowe illustrate vivid and powerful cases in which Walton's contentions are put to the test.
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Walton suggests that they can, and ultimately defends the thesis that ad hominem reasoning is not fallacious per se. As suggested by the title, the conclusion of ad hominem argument is demonstrated to be relative to the arguer's position.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780313244391
Publisert
1985-02-19
Utgiver
Vendor
Praeger Publishers Inc
Vekt
737 gr
Høyde
235 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Aldersnivå
UP, G, UU, 05, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
346
Forfatter