CHAPTER 2: FIELDS OF ARGUMENTATION

Field dependent

an argument or idea whose meaning or standards depend on the specific field or subject area it is being used in.

Field invariant

rules or standards of argument that stay the same across different fields or subjects.

Advocate

• The person who communicates the change

• First and last person to talk

• Must provide “burden of proof”

Burden of Proof

the responsibility to provide enough evidence and reasoning to support a claim.

Opponent

• The person who doesn’t want the change proposed by the advocate

• Supporting EXISTING behaviors or beliefs

• They have PRESUMPTION

Presumption

favors the opponent/status quo. The current belief or policy stays unless the advocate proves it should change.

Artificial Presumption

a presumption that is created by an established rule, law, or agreement, rather than simply favoring the status quo.

Natural Presumption

favors what is already accepted or currently being done (status quo) until there is enough reason to change it.

Prima Facie Case

when the advocate presents enough evidence and reasoning to support their argument unless the opponent successfully challenges it.

Inherency

showing that a problem exists within the current system and will not fix itself without a change.

• If advocates fail to prove this → it’ll be impossible to determine a good reason for change

• Identification of a problem → NEED for change

Structural Inherency

when a problem continues because of existing laws, rules, policies, or structures in the current system.

Attitudinal Inherency

when a problem continues because of people’s beliefs, attitudes, or unwillingness to change.