This book offers a new theory of begging the question as an informal fallacy, within a pragmatic framework of reasoned dialogue as a normative theory of critical argumentation. The fallacy of begging the question is analyzed as a systematic tactic to evade fulfillment of a legitimate burden of proof by the proponent of an argument. The technique uses a circular structure of argument to block the further progress of dialogue and, in particular, the capability of the respondent to ask legitimate critical questions in reply to the argument. Walton analyzes the concept of burden of proof in argument, and provides chapters on the use of argument diagramming as a technique of argument reconstruction. This powerful method of argument analysis developed therein is then applied to more than 100 case studies of circular argumentation where the charge of begging the question is or has been thought to be an appropriate criticism. Throughout this work, Walton throws light on the relationship between the problem of circular reasoning and broader issues in the critical analysis of argumentation. Ground-breaking use is made of the pragmatic theory of argument as interactive dialogue. Rules for several kinds of dialogue framework provide standards of good reasoning to validate or to refute the criticism that a particular argument begs the question. This book is directed to students and professionals in the fields of speech communication, philosophy, linguistics, logic, dispute mediation, and education.
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“This study of a single argumentative fallacy should be of broad interest. Walton, having written extensively on informal logic and the traditional fallacies, is a master of the subject. Begging the question is seemingly one of the simpler fallacies, but one that is quite difficult to pin down. Walton exhibits excellent historical scholarship in tracing the origins of the label "begging the question" that has been applied to various circular arguments. The discussion of more than 100 examples said to exhibit the fallacy provides a framework for resolving many issues in informal logic. The key to understanding the sense in which apparently circular arguments are fallacious is the context of the dialogue in which the arguments appear. The bibliography surveys a wide range of relevant literature. This work will be of particular interest to those teaching or taking an introductory logic course. It should interest anyone concerned with effective argumentation, which is most everyone. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate collections.”–Choice
About the Author
DOUGLAS N. WALTON is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Winnipeg and Fellow-in-Residence of the Netherlands Institute of Advanced Study.
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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evidential priority, non probata, probative function, argument diagramming, evidential route, argumentation tactics, dependency conception, persuasion dialogue, sophistical tactic, equivalence conception, opponent fallacy, enthymematic premise, argument reconstruction, other arguer, serial argument, saucers case, petitio principii fallacy, greater conceivable, one arguer, convergent argument, inevitable circle, contentious reasoning, reasonable dialogue, maieutic function, motorists case Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New Zealand, Burden Tactical Rule, Completed Reconstruction, Pierre Berton, Prior Analytics, Question Period, City Hall, Citizens Committee, Mayor Daley, William of Sherwood, Head of the Academy, John Stuart Mill, Liar Paradox, New York, Sextus Empiricus, Supreme Court, Deadly Retort, Holy Writ, Outlines of Pyrrhonism New!
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evidential priority, non probata, probative function, argument diagramming, evidential route, argumentation tactics, dependency conception, persuasion dialogue, sophistical tactic, equivalence conception, opponent fallacy, enthymematic premise, argument reconstruction, other arguer, serial argument, saucers case, petitio principii fallacy, greater conceivable, one arguer, convergent argument, inevitable circle, contentious reasoning, reasonable dialogue, maieutic function, motorists case Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New Zealand, Burden Tactical Rule, Completed Reconstruction, Pierre Berton, Prior Analytics, Question Period, City Hall, Citizens Committee, Mayor Daley, William of Sherwood, Head of the Academy, John Stuart Mill, Liar Paradox, New York, Sextus Empiricus, Supreme Court, Deadly Retort, Holy Writ, Outlines of Pyrrhonism New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
3
books
cite this book:
- Inventing Nations: Justifications of Authority in the Modern World (Contributions in Philosophy) by Terry H. Pickett in Front Matter
- Mistakes of Reason: Essays in Honour of John Woods by Andrew D. Irvine on page 439
- Classical Cynicism: A Critical Study (Contributions in Philosophy) by Luis Navia in Front Matter
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