ABSTRACT
To be able to resolve a dispute about a standpoint, the person who has called the standpoint into question must be prepared to assume the role of antagonist in a discussion about the standpoint and the person who has advanced the standpoint must be prepared to assume the role of protagonist and defend his standpoint. This allocation of discussion roles takes place at the opening stage, in which those involved determine whether there is enough common ground (mutually agreed rules, presumptions and other starting points) to make it worthwhile to undertake a serious attempt at resolving the dispute. If this is not the case, there is no point in embarking on the argumentation stage. Then, there is in effect no true discussion at all and a resolution of the dispute remains out of reach. Whether the conditions for a critical discussion have been fulfilled is something that is in practice usually determined tacitly.
