Persuasive Definitions: Values, Meanings and Implicit Disagreements

Abstract:     
The purpose of this paper is to inquire into the relationship between persuasive definition and common know-ledge (propositions generally accepted and not subject to dispute in a discussion). We interpret the gap between common knowledge and persuasive definition (PD) in terms of potential disagreements: PDs are conceived as implicit arguments to win a potential conflict. Persuasive definitions are analyzed as arguments instantiating two argumentation schemes, argument from classification and argu-ment from values, and presupposing a potential disagreement. The argumen-tative structure of PDs reveals different levels of disagreement, and different pos-sibilities of resolving the conflict or causing dialogical deadlock.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 26

Keywords: clarification dialogues, communication failure, conflicts of meanings, conflicts of values, emotive meaning, quasi-definitions, value-based argumentation

Accepted Paper Series