It is generally agreed that good deliberation is governed by reason.  But what exactly does it mean to be rational?  12 Angry Men showed us that mere saying something is a fact does not make it so, and that evidence can be hard to correctly interpret.  So how do we know the difference between a well-reasoned argument and something that only appears to be so?   This week we will study a number of approaches to reasoned argument.

First Task: In preparation for next week’s class, go to the website for DHMO.org and review its contents.  Then respond to this post.

Open up a window so that you can read the Declaration of Independence by clicking here.  It will be referred to in the upcoming lecture.

Second Task: Watch this lecture on Argumentation.  Warning: do not watch this lecture before you have completed the previous week’s tasks.

Third Task: Read Hoffman, “Deliberative Argumentation,” and Fairbanks, “Policy.”  Click here to access these readings.  (The heading will say Monday, but the readings are correct).

Fourth Task:  By the night prior to class, comment on this post, and this post.  Be prepared to discuss your postings in class.