Arguing with People

In Arguing with People, Michael A. Gilbert shows how recent developments in the field of Argumentation Theory have bearing on the arguments we encounter in everyday life. Research that had previously been restricted to scholarly journals and monographs is made accessible and, more importantly, useful to the reader. Gilbert emphasizes the value of understanding context, understanding who you are arguing with, and knowing how to use that information to fruitfully settle disagreements. This book expands the argumentative toolkit, and shows how often-neglected skills such as empathy and tone can be applied to the hurly-burly contexts of real arguing. Interesting examples and sample dialogues are provided to demonstrate tangible ways in which the book’s lessons can be applied. Partner exercises provide opportunities to role-play and practice the interpersonal skills developed throughout the book.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements Introduction ONE ALL ABOUT ARGUMENTS About Arguments The Stages of Argument Kinds of Argument Polemics vs. Argument TWO ALL ABOUT ARGUERS Who Do We Argue With? Argument Modes Coalescence Argumentativeness and Aggressivity Gender and Argument THREE ARGUING WITH PEOPLE Heuristic, Ethos, Audience Watching the Process The Most Important Belief You Can Have The Rules Coalescent Argument Arguing Well In Action Final Words Exercises Further Reading Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Michael A. Gilbert is Professor of Philosophy at York University and author of several books on argumentation, including How to Win an Argument and Coalescent Argumentation.

Review :
“ … may be the single most important supplement to [a Critical Reasoning textbook] that an instructor could assign to her students. … Arguing with People is a pleasure to read. It is informative, intellectually stimulating, and will provoke reflection on the many different facets of how and why we argue with others.” — Benjamin Hamby, Coastal Carolina University, in Cogency “Arguing with People invites its readers to reflect on the varied purposes of argumentation, while at the same time calling for reflection upon the manifold physical, social, emotional, and spiritual resources that are drawn into the journey from disagreement to the meeting of the minds.” — G. Thomas Goodnight, Professor at the Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism, University of Southern California “This book represents a valuable pedagogical resource for general education and critical thinking courses. It should also be of considerable help in all university courses where argumentation is central.” — Claudio Duran, York University “Arguing with People makes good reading. It is a practical introduction to the background that Argumentation Theory provides to Critical Thinking. Written in a highly accessible style, it gives a clear overview of various relevant insights. In addition, a series of useful exercises aimed at improving argument skills is included. This combination makes Michael A. Gilbert’s book unique in its kind.” — Frans H. van Eemeren, University of Amsterdam & Leiden University “Gilbert’s Arguing with People interjects the person-centeredness of argumentation studies into the rigor of critical thinking projects. Gilbert is both a philosopher and a novelist, and this book displays both precision and intuitive insight.” — Dale Hample, University of Maryland “The book is cleanly designed, and contains healthy number of exercises for each chapter, a useful index and list of further readings. Addressed to students, it is clearly and engagingly written. … I recommend assigning this book as supplementary reading for a critical thinking course and also for an informal logic course.” — J. Anthony Blair, Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation and Rhetoric, University of Windsor “This little book, just 133 pages including bibliography, fills a big gap in the textbook offerings by addressing the sorts of argumentation that students will be most familiar with.” — Catherine E. Hundleby, Informal Logic