Argumentation

When people argue well, they present well-reasoned claims, supported by evidence and logic. The result is a clear, persuasive explanation of what you believe and why you believe it. Your argument might not persuade others — and you might not be persuaded by someone else’s argument — because your values and goals might not align. But by arguing well, we can be more sure of our own premises and come to understand one another — which makes it possible to collaborate for a better future, even in the midst of difference. 

Good argumentation is at the heart of democratic deliberation, civic engagement and civil discourse. Democracy works best when people argue well — and when we use the tools of argumentation to evaluate others’ ideas. Learning to argue well, then, helps you present your ideas, and it helps you be discerning when listening to others.

Arguing well is a hallmark of a liberal education. Historically, the tools of argumentation were taught as part of the art of rhetoric — one of the three liberal arts known as the trivium that dominated students’ foundational learning during the Medieval era. Today, these tools are usually only taught in college classes on argumentation or logic. But without these tools, we are sadly unprepared to develop strong arguments and test the arguments we hear in civil discourse.

• So You Think You Can Argue
• Virtues of Argumentation

More resources coming soon