Argumentation

What

Argumentation is "the action or process of reasoning systematically in support of an idea, action, or theory" (Dictionary.com). In the Google Books Ngram Viewer figure below you can see that use of the word argumentation in the English language started climbing around 1940 and has reached an all-time peak(!) today. Argumentation, however, has taken on a negative aspect lately; arguments are loud, highly polarized, and frankly kind of a turnoff. But there are many reasons why we should argue and there are principled ways to do so. You need to learn how to be an effective arguer, an effective communicator, especially in situations where you as the entrepreneur must convince an audience of the worthiness of your ideas and differentiate them against the ideas of others to get much-needed resources (see Shark Tank and Dragon's Den). We do indeed live in a winner-takes-all society, and you need to cultivate particular traits to be successful within it. These traits and skills will ultimately be the foundation of what makes you an effective pitcher. This is the focus of this Argumentation module.

Learning Objectives

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Everything's an Argument

Why We Make Arguments

Use the word “argument” today, and people will conjure up negative images: a politician shaking his tiny fist against some imagined enemy or “opinion makers” who shout so loudly that no other voices can be heard - or even “dare” to be heard because of the potential imagined consequences to those who offer a competing view. “Arguments” is almost like a social construct of cancel culture. We now have a “winner-take-all” approach to conversations that stifle those who would rather avoid conflict; as a result a majority of people concede opportunities to speak their mind on issues shaping their lives and work, more or less the most appropriate aspects of our existence.

Some arguments are indeed aimed at winning. Think about political opponents running for the same office; they argue to make themselves and their views distinctive and superior to those of the opponent. Lawyers argue on behalf of their clients to appeal to the judge and jury for a desired verdict. You have likely “argued” for an opinion or judgment of some situation, institution, or concept in your college essays.

“Everything’s an Argument” (Google book embed below; alt Amazon.com) shows us that there are many reasons why we should argue and offers principled ways to do so. This is what you need to learn to be an effective communicator especially in situations where you as the entrepreneur must convince an audience of the worthiness of your ideas and differentiate them against the ideas of others to get much-needed resources. We do indeed live in a winner-takes-all society, and you need to cultivate particular traits to be successful within it.

July 22, 2020