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.