HB AT section 2.3

Question 1

Athenian philosophical debate:

Answer 1

two people, a Questioner and an Answerer, Questioner defines the topic, Answerer takes a standpoint, Questioner deduces from that the opposite standpoint, which he uses to refute the standpoint of the Answerer

Question 2

Aim of Questioner:

Answer 2

to construct a refutation of the Answerer (deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion)

Question 3

Aim of Answerer:

Answer 3

to uphold his thesis/avoid a refutation

Question 4

Arguing for premises through

Answer 4

1. Deduction - from universals to particulars
   2. Induction (epagôge) - from particulars to universals
   3. Arguments from likeness (homoiôtes)

Question 5

Three types of dialogue (Aristotle)

Answer 5

• dialectical debate, concerned with training (gumnasia), critical examination (peira), or inquiry (skepsis)
• the didactic discussion, concerned with teaching
• the competitive (eristic, contentious) type of debate in which winning is the only concern

Question 6

In discussions there are four domains of argument:

Answer 6

didactic, dialectical, critical and eristic

Question 7

The uses of dialectical debates:

Answer 7

• in training (gumnasia), practicing dialectical debating will make people more adept at constructing and criticizing arguments
• in casual encounters
• in the study of the philosophical sciences, as a method of inquiry (skepsis)

Question 8

Topoi:

Answer 8

an ancient system of argument schemes The central part of a topos is a general law (a universal proposition) that can be used in many similar deductions.

Question 9

The Answerer may refute a conclusion by:

Answer 9

1. showing why the reasoning would be fallacious (this is called giving a solution)
2. “stating an objection directed against the questioner”, making it impossible for the Questioner to continue with the argument
3. “one may object to the questions asked”, pointing out that as yet no conclusion follows (whereas a conclusion might follow with an additional premise): in this case, the Questioner may continue
4. bringing objections of a kind which would take longer to answer than the length of the discussion in hand