Reasonable Argument or Pseudo-Argument? :Reasonable Argument or Pseudo-Argument?


Slide 2:What is a reasonable argument? A reasonable argument is a search for truth. They have 2 requirements: 1.) reasonable participants who operate within conventions of reasonable behavior [2 rational, normal human beings] 2.) potentially sharable assumptions that can serve as a starting place or foundation for the argument [they have to be able to make each other understand their assumptions]


Slide 3:What is a pseudo-argument? Pseudo-arguments are arguments that lack one or both of the requirements of a rational argument. Here are a few reasons an argument might be labeled “pseudo” : Fanatical believers/ fanatical skeptics- people who believe that their claims are true because they say so. A skeptic/fanatic is not looking for the truth. Lack of shared assumptions- if an argument against smoking uses cancer as a reason that smoking is bad, both people need to believe that cancer is bad or be willing to try this belief on. Opinion topics- if an argument is based on an issue that cannot be measured outside of someone’s opinion, 99% of the time it will break down into a pseudo-argument. However, if the arguers are willing to set criteria to measure the issue, a real/rational argument can take place.


Slide 4:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Is the Star Trek television franchise good science fiction? If the participants can make a list of criteria for “good science fiction” and then measure how Star Trek meets or fails to meet that criteria, the argument will be reasonable. If, however, the argument is formed around personal taste [ “Spock sucks as a character because I don’t like him”], it will be stalled at the pseudo-argument level.


Slide 5:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Is Japanese architecture beautiful? Participants will need to develop criteria for “beautiful” and set the parameters for “Japanese architecture” for this to be a reasonable argument.


Slide 6:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Can an elephant paint a true work of art? It is quite possible for this argument to degenerate into a pseudo-argument if the participants let the controversy override their reason. If they can agree upon criteria for “true works of art” and measure how the elephant’s work meets or fails to meet that criteria, this could be a reasonable argument.


Slide 7:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Are tattoos attractive? Personal style is subjective, so it would be nearly impossible for participants to set criteria for “attractive.” This is a pseudo-argument.


Slide 8:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Is smoking bad for you? If participants can share assumptions and set the proper criteria, this could be a reasonable argument. Beware of arguing an issue like this with fanatics or skeptics- your argument will never get off the ground!


Slide 9:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Are Chihuahuas cute? Again, personal taste (like personal style) is highly subjective- pseudo-argument!


Slide 10:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Is Britney Spears a good singer? If participants can agree on criteria for “good singers” and then measure how Ms. Spears compares, this could be a reasonable argument.


Slide 11:Let’s try to distinguish between reasonable and pseudo… Is Britney Spears a good mother? Parenting is a highly subjective topic! If participants share assumptions about good parenting, they might be able to reach a reasonable argument… but this topic makes it hard to be objective!


Slide 12:Wrapping it up… A reasonable argument needs 2 reasonable participants who can share assumptions. A Pseudo-argument is caused by a lack of one or both of the above and/or an issue that makes objectivity difficult.