ABSTRACT
Coalescent Argumentation is based on the concept that arguments can function from agreement, rather than disagreement. To prove this idea, Gilbert first discusses how several components--emotional, visceral (physical) and kisceral (intuitive) are utilized in an argumentative setting by people everyday. These components, also characterized as "modes," are vital to argumentative communication because they affect both the argument and the resulting outcome.
In addition to the components/modes, this book also stresses the goals in argumentation as a means for understanding one's own and one's opposer's positions. Gilbert argues that by viewing positions as complex human events involving a variety of communicative modes, we are better able to find commonalities across positions, and, therefore, move from conflict to resolution. By focusing on agreement and shared goals in all modes, arguers can coalesce diverse positions and more easily distinguish between minor or unrelated differences and core disagreements. This permits much greater latitude for locating shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that will lead to conflict resolution.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|64 pages
Argumentation Theory
chapter 1|25 pages
The Recent History of Argumentation Theory
chapter 2|14 pages
The Delimitation of Argument
chapter 3|6 pages
Argument and Arguers
chapter 4|17 pages
Feminism and Argumentation
part II|81 pages
Multi-Modal Argumentation