Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface Part One Principles 1 Defining Argumentation Elements of Argumentation Elements of Critical Decision Making Conclusion Projects/Exercises 2 Appraising Argumentation Argumentation and Being Reasonable The Bases of Reason in Argumentation Starting Points for Argumentation Conclusion Projects/Exercises 3 Making Sense of Argumentation Some Ways of Making Sense Alternative Dispute Resolution Conclusion Projects/Exercises 4 The Nature of Arguments The Model of an Argument Reasoning Processes Definitions as Argument The Analysis of Arguments Conclusion Projects/Exercises 5 Analysis in Argumentation Critical Analysis to Find a Proposition Critical Analysis of a Proposition Analysis of Claims Conclusion Projects/Exercises 6 Case Building Preliminary Steps in Case Building Developing a Convincing Vision Communication to Specific Decision Makers Conclusion Projects/Exercises Part Two Tools 7 Support: Evidence Forms of Evidence General Principles for the Use of Evidence Sphere Dependence of Evidence Conclusion Projects/Exercises 8 Support: Values Characteristics of Values Values Appear in Systems Values Define Ethics General Principles for the Use of Values Sphere Dependence of Values Conclusion Projects/Exercises 9 Support: Credibility Characteristics of Credibility Forms of Credibility General Principles for the Use of Credibility Sphere Dependence of Credibility Conclusion Projects/Exercises 10 Refutation The Process of Refutation Approaching Refutation Setting a Framework for Refutation Selecting a Posture for Refutation Communicating Refutation Conclusion Projects/Exercises 11 Refutation by Fallacy Claims Views of Fallacy Social Guides to Fallacy Claims Using Fallacy Claims in Refutation Conclusion Projects/Exercises Part Three Applications 12 Argumentation in Law Narratives in Legal Argumentation Arguments on the Law Commonplaces in Legal Argumentation Conclusion Projects/Exercises 13 Argumentation in Science What is Science? Scientific Values The Tradition of Argumentation in Science Scientific Use of Argument Types Scientific Use of Evidence Scientific Method as Argument Conclusion Project s/Exercises 14 Argumentation in Religion Major Questions in Religious Argumentation Evidence in Religious Argumentation Preferred Argument Forms Conclusion Projects/Exercises 15 Argumentation in Business Starting Points for Business Argumentation Forms of Support in Business Argumentation Conclusion Projects/Exercises 16 Argumentation in Government and Politics The Nature of Political Argumentation Argumentation in Government and Politics Argumentation in Legislative Action Argumentation in Political Campaigns The Special Role of Debates Refutation in the Political Campaign Conclusion Projects/Exercises References Name Index Subject Index

"This book presents argumentation as a cooperative, communicative process. This text examines the general principles of argument in a rigorous yet readable manner and then applies those principles to different spheres of life - law, science, religion, business, government and politics - to explore how conventions of arguments change when applied to these real-world arenas. Focusing on the dynamics of decision making and using real-life examples to illustrate principles, this text aims to help readers develop practical argumentation skills within the world of their daily lives."--Publisher.