How to Win an Argument

212 Pages·1996·7.925 MB·English

by  Michael A. Gilbert

OW LO
WIN,
aw
NACU ITAN
SECONNBDITION
SUREFIRE STRATEGIES
FOR GETTING
YOUR POINT
ACROSS

How to Win
an
Argument

How to Win
an
Argument
SECOND EDITION
Michael A. Gilbert
W
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
New York ¢ Chichester @ Brisbane ¢ Toronto ¢ Singapore
This text is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright © 1996 by Michael A. Gilbert
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
All rights reserved. Published simultaneously in Canada.
Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted
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This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in
regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the
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medical, psychological, or any other expert assistance is required, the services of a
competent professional person should be sought.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gilbert, Michael A.
How to win an argument / Michael A. Gilbert. — 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-471-12349-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Reasoning. I. Title.
BC177.G54 1995
160—dc20
Printed in the United States of America
1057169 S54238 2 81
To Zack,
who’s always a winner
a Sele
rae Malem
Contents
Pree. AG aie ic se os ee ix
Part One The Art of Argument ............. 1
1- What Are We Arguing About?ieiwy toeshek 4 « 5
2y Why tAcgue SoiMuchiiewcw cont, Genistignoe 8
Bidypesot Acgumentsnet Jn captiebivdhebieds < 12
4 Defensive vs. Offensive Argument ......... 15
m& Someiwamingsiuesiiers alcudoReenrts t 5 19
6 Super-Rule I: Never Admit Defeat ......... 23
7 ow Are Ancuments Baill? ial, ah acuwend anions 29
Sythe Panciole.of Rationality, lio erg20. cee 34
OID INARA PENI DIES yd dVhve ee a e 39
10: tSopesRule; Hs Listen! tant gat. ci ey Aaisgeerr.e 46
Vi Zenrand:thecArtehiArgumente actsern.ctiOiWe 50
124 Parti@ne Reviews can, eiierowank sGe!e 54
vii
Contents
Part Two The Ways of Argument ........... of;
13 Whats Gome Onibleres: ) . 2. 3 2 a eee a9
14 Ring Around thevArcumen. 5t..5 .=. s.e 63
15 What Were We Talking About?.......... a2
16 Everyone’s Doin’ It, Doin’ It, Doin’ It ...... 82
17 OWEISIE FiGsaldesOmiee x. 4006-8- e3t e:e 88
18 ‘The Refuge of Scoundrels'... ..... «25 20k os 97
19: ‘The Straw-Maneareument <s.2. 42. See 107
20: “The Slippetyssiopes sr. 2. oe 3
Zao triastes Ved eseA ster. fe eesws eh. e ee 149
22> ENLTee SNEAKY eVOVES a me acs ls. 2 5 ee 130
Os Wart | WOUNCVICW hiten poy go0ce Die ce 4, ane ae 142
Part Three The Arguments............... 149
24 +P otibocks s.26n eran os fo oe he St
25: Whe Gay lea eee ah occices tae 155
26 Equal Rights for Equal Arguments ........ 159
27 Why Get: Mantied?) i5ao5. oe2 a.e 164
28." Good-Bye, Friendstauaia. ssia2eM swae.. Se e 167
29. ‘To:See or Not toiSee...... tfc 22 eee £72
30. The. Mark. Market. .... ..... cum2a. ca e 176
31. To Therapy.or NotitowDherapy *\\\.) .ey see. 179
32. Part'Three Review « «. . « . . SeS ee 183
Appendix Sources for More Information on
Arguing Well . .calstosilge a?S.ia 187
Tiidex . so ssi-tieoe eieeee es a 191
viii