ABSTRACT

Telling the positive story about improving argument requires some stage-setting. This chapter begins by introducing the idea of argumentative responsibility. The project of improving our practices of argument obviously involves developing strategies for avoiding bad styles of argumentative engagement. Argumentative practice can remain healthy only within an environment of broader social coordination and cooperative activity. Argumentative escalation happens pretty easily and rapidly. Note that because argument is a turn-taking practice, iteration is built into it. And since argument is inherently critical, there is ample opportunity for irritation, and expressions of irritation are often taken as harming one's reputation. The background problem is that the broader background of civic trust that must be in place for argument to make sense has been significantly eroded. To get a handle on the idea of argumentative skills, consider first practical skills. There are situations where things go badly because one fails to exercise one's skill properly.