The Place of Emotion in Argument [Paperback]

Douglas N. Walton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0271008539 | ISBN-13: 978-0271008530 | Publication Date: December 31, 1987

Appeals to emotion -- pity, fear, popular sentiment, and ad hominem attacks -- are commony used in argumentation. Instead of dismissing these appeals as fallacious wherever they occur, as many do, Walton urges that each use be judged on its merits. He distinguished three main categories of evaluation. First, is it reasonable, even if not conclusive, as an argument? Second, is it weak and therefore open to critical questioning for argument? And third, is it fallacious? The third category is a strong charge that incurs a critical buren to back it up by citing evidence from the given text and context of dialogue. Walton uses fifty-six case studies to demonstrate that the problem of emotional fallcies is much subtler than has been previously believed. Ranging over commercial advertisements, political debates, union-management negotiations, and ethical disputes, the case studies reveal that these four types of appeals, while based on presumptive reasoning that are tentative and subject to default, are not always or necessarily fallacious types of argumentation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Walton offers some very perceptive criticisms and points on the subject of emotional appeals. His critique of the standard textbook treatment of the subject is a valuable counter to the excesses of the conventional wisdom that this treatment perpetuates, and his observations on the necessity of considering context when assessing the cogency of arguments based on emotional appeals throw important light on the subtleties of such assessments. In these and other ways his book corrects and enlarges our understanding of informal fallacies. --John Deigh, Informal Logic --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press (December 31, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0271008539
• ISBN-13: 978-0271008530
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,924,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How to survive an emotional argument, May 7, 2009

By 

Mr. W. Waters "Critical thinker" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Place of Emotion in Argument (Paperback)

Great training for those who regularly find themselves in heated debates. Also great for those who don't know what to do when people rain down upon them with emotionally laden arguments. Have fun!