Ad Hominem Arguments

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Public Speaking, Rhetoric, Communication
Cover of the book Ad Hominem Arguments by Douglas Walton, University of Alabama Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Douglas Walton ISBN: 9780817391140
Publisher: University of Alabama Press Publication: May 30, 2016
Imprint: University Alabama Press Language: English
Author: Douglas Walton
ISBN: 9780817391140
Publisher: University of Alabama Press
Publication: May 30, 2016
Imprint: University Alabama Press
Language: English

Essential to an understanding of argumentation and logic, Ad Hominem Arguments is a vital contribution to legal theory and media and civic discourse.

In the 1860s, northern newspapers attacked Abraham Lincoln's policies by attacking his character, using the terms "drunk," "baboon," "too slow," "foolish," and "dishonest." Steadily on the increase in political argumentation since then, the argumentum ad hominem, or personal attack argument, has now been carefully refined as an instrument of "oppo tactics" and "going negative" by the public relations experts who craft political campaigns at the national level. In this definitive treatment of one of the most important concepts in argumentation theory and informal logic, Douglas Walton presents a normative framework for identifying and evaluating ad hominem or personal attack arguments.

Personal attack arguments have often proved to be so effective, in election campaigns, for example, that even while condemning them, politicians have not stopped using them. In the media, in the courtroom, and in everyday confrontation, ad hominem arguments are easy to put forward as accusations, are difficult to refute, and often have an extremely powerful effect on persuading an audience.

Walton gives a clear method for analyzing and evaluating cases of ad hominem arguments found in everyday argumentation. His analysis classifies the ad hominem argument into five clearly defined subtypes—abusive (direct), circumstantial, bias, "poisoning the well," and tu quoque ("you're just as bad") arguments—and gives methods for evaluating each type. Each subtype is given a well-defined form as a recognizable type of argument. The numerous case studies show in concrete terms many practical aspects of how to use textual evidence to identify and analyze fallacies and to evaluate argumentation as fallacious or not in particular cases.

 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Essential to an understanding of argumentation and logic, Ad Hominem Arguments is a vital contribution to legal theory and media and civic discourse.

In the 1860s, northern newspapers attacked Abraham Lincoln's policies by attacking his character, using the terms "drunk," "baboon," "too slow," "foolish," and "dishonest." Steadily on the increase in political argumentation since then, the argumentum ad hominem, or personal attack argument, has now been carefully refined as an instrument of "oppo tactics" and "going negative" by the public relations experts who craft political campaigns at the national level. In this definitive treatment of one of the most important concepts in argumentation theory and informal logic, Douglas Walton presents a normative framework for identifying and evaluating ad hominem or personal attack arguments.

Personal attack arguments have often proved to be so effective, in election campaigns, for example, that even while condemning them, politicians have not stopped using them. In the media, in the courtroom, and in everyday confrontation, ad hominem arguments are easy to put forward as accusations, are difficult to refute, and often have an extremely powerful effect on persuading an audience.

Walton gives a clear method for analyzing and evaluating cases of ad hominem arguments found in everyday argumentation. His analysis classifies the ad hominem argument into five clearly defined subtypes—abusive (direct), circumstantial, bias, "poisoning the well," and tu quoque ("you're just as bad") arguments—and gives methods for evaluating each type. Each subtype is given a well-defined form as a recognizable type of argument. The numerous case studies show in concrete terms many practical aspects of how to use textual evidence to identify and analyze fallacies and to evaluate argumentation as fallacious or not in particular cases.

 

More books from University of Alabama Press

Cover of the book Unknown Waters by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Interruptions by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book The Deadly Politics of Giving by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Stand Up for Alabama by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book When Colleges Sang by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book South by Southwest by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book The Great War in the Air by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Patton's Pawns by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Split-Gut Song by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book 1865 Alabama by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Steinbeck and the Environment by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Jim Crow Guide to the U.S.A. by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Alabama by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book Archaeologists as Activists by Douglas Walton
Cover of the book The Moundville Expeditions of Clarence Bloomfield Moore by Douglas Walton
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy