Argumentation theory, or argumentation, is the science of effective civil debate or dialogue and the effective propagation thereof, using rules of inference and logic, as applied in the real world setting. Argumentation is concerned primarily with reaching conclusions through logical reasoning based on certain premises. Although including debate and negotiation which are concerned with reaching mutually acceptable conclusions, argumentation theory also encompasses the branch of social debate in which victory over an opponent is the primary goal. This science is often the means by which people protect their beliefs or self-interests in rational dialogue; in common parlance, arguing. Logic (from Classical Greek λόγος (logos), originally meaning the word, or what is spoken, but coming to mean thought or reason) is most often said to be the study of arguments, although the exact definition of logic is a matter of controversy amongst philosophers (see below). ... Debate is a formalized system of (usually) logical argument. ... Negotiation is the process whereby interested parties resolve disputes, agree upon courses of action, bargain for individual or collective advantage, and/or attempt to craft outcomes which serve their mutual interests. ...

As it relates to philosophy, argumentation is used with or without empirical evidence to establish a convincing conclusion about issues which are moral, scientific, epistemic, or of a nature too deep to be answerable by science alone. Argumentation theory employs the field of informal logic in constructing credible arguments and identifying faulty reasoning. The term philosophy derives from a combination of the Greek words philos meaning love and sophia meaning wisdom. ... Informal logic is the study of natural language arguments, and is typically less analytical than formal logic. ...

In its most common form, argumentation involves an individual and an interlocutor/or opponent engaged in dialogue, each contending differing positions.

The key components of argumentation:

• Understanding and identifying the presentation of an argument, either explicit or implied

• Identifying the conclusion and the premises from which the conclusion is derived

• Establishing the Burden of proof – determining who made the initial claim and is thus responsible for providing evidence why his/her position merits acceptance

• For the one carrying the Burden of proof, the defender, to marshal evidence for his/her position in order to convince or force the opponent's acceptance. The method by which this is accomplished is producing valid, sound, and cogent arguments, devoid of weaknesses, and not easily attacked

• For the attacker, to listen and find faulty reasoning in the opponent’s argument, to attack the reasons/premises of the argument, to provide counterexamples if possible, to identify any logical fallacies, and to show why a valid conclusion cannot be derived from the reasons provided for his/her argument

Burden of proof is the obligation to prove allegations which are presented in a legal action. ... Burden of proof is the obligation to prove allegations which are presented in a legal action. ... Evidence can mean: Any observable event which tends to prove or disprove a proposition, see scientific method and reality. ... A logical fallacy is an error in logical argument which is independent of the truth of the premises. ...

See also

• Logical fallacy
• Logical argument
• Rhetoric
• informal logic
• Critical thinking
• Burden of proof

A logical fallacy is an error in logical argument which is independent of the truth of the premises. ... An argument is an attempt to demonstrate the truth of an assertion called a conclusion, based on the truth of a set of assertions called premises. ... Rhetoric (from Greek ρητωρ, rhêtôr, orator) is one of the three original liberal arts or trivium (the other members are dialectic and grammar). ... Informal logic is the study of natural language arguments, and is typically less analytical than formal logic. ... Critical thinking is a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information. ... Burden of proof is the obligation to prove allegations which are presented in a legal action. ...

Links on argumentation theory

• http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/henry/research/argtheory.html
• http://www.tcw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/Levels%20of%20theories/micro/Argumentation%20Theory.doc/