What you could learn from ‘A Rulebook for Arguments’ by Anthony Weston (2017, 85 pages)

Posted by Max on June 10, 2019 in Book reviews | Leave a comment

Good discussion and argument, like everything else, requires training and practice.

Here are Anthony’s 50 rules for arguments.

1. Resolve premise and conclusion – separate your argument (premise) from conclusion
2. Unfold your ideas in a natural order – play around with the order of your argument until it feel right
3. Start from reliable premises – open your argument with agreed facts
4. Be concrete and concise – fewer word is less confusion, and less to be attacked
5. Build on substance, not overtone – use facts not emotion (unless speaking at a debate)
6. Use consistent terms – use the same language and word forms
7. Use more than one example – you cannot generalise from a single example
8. Use representative examples – do not over generalise or miss-represent your example
9. Background rates are often crucial – provide the normal numbers as a comparison
10. Statistics need a critical eye – make sure you see the absolute and relative numbers, and exponential trends never last
11. Reckon with counterexamples – ss
12. Analogies require relevantly similar examples – it has to make sense
13. Cite your sources – borrow authority from others
14. Seek informed sources – use high quality (peer reviewed articles, experts)
15. Seek impartial sources – find resources
16. Cross-check sources – check multiple sources and the sources of your source
17. Build your internet savvy – learn who is trustworthy
18. Causal arguments start with correlations – knights carry swords
19. Correlations may have alternative explanations – all knights carry swords, but not all that carry swords are knights
20. Work towards the most likely explanation – Occam’s razor
21. Expect complexity – you need to articulate the relative weights off different causes
22. Modus ponens – If p then q. p therefore, q
23. Modus tollens – If p then q. Not q therefore, not q
24. Hypothetical syllogism – If p then q. If q then r. Therefore, if p then r
25. Disjunctive syllogism – p or q. Not q, therefore, q
26. Dilemma – p or q. If p then r. If q then s. Therefore, r or s
27. Reductio ad absurdum –
28. Deductive arguments in multiple steps – use combinations of 22-27
29. Explore the issue –
30. Spell out basic ideas as arguments – have 3-5 ideas, write them in sentences
31. Defend basic premises with arguments of their own – turn these sentences into paragraphs by supporting them with their own premises
32. Reckon with objections – look at the most common and powerful objections and address them
33. Explore alternatives – are there other conclusions that can be reached with the same premise
34. Jump right in – start writing you argument now, don’t wait
35. Urge a definite claim or proposal – be forthright and clear, do not hedge
36. Your argument is your outline – summarise your argument in a short paragraph. This paragraph should start your argument
37. Detail objections and meet them – explicitly state strong objections and defend against them
38. Seek feedback and use it – multiple perspectives will get you to a better answer
39. Modesty please – humility goes further than arrogance
40. Ask for a hearing – when presenting an aural argument, use your enthusiasm, speak as a peer, respect them
41. Be fully present – connect with your audience, do not be distracted
42. Signpost energetically – summaries your argument at the start, point out the main points so people can come back later
43. Hew your visuals to your argument – little text as possible
44. End in style – end on time and end on a high note
45. Do argument proud – verbal arguments need as much research as written arguments
46. Listen, learn, leverage – in a debate, exchange with others. Build on their points or address them directly. Show empathy and understanding
47. Offer something positive – offer something positive and concrete
48. Work from common ground – look for areas of overlap, and work towards a compromise
49. At least be civil – manners are free
50. Leave everyone thinking when they go home – always leave them wanting more

A Rulebook for arguments is a great entry points to rhetoric and debate. Read this book if you want to get to a better answer and be more persuasive.

You can buy ‘A Rulebook for Argument’ from Amazon UK here