-
23In pro and con arguments, an arguer acknowledges that there are points against the conclu-sion reached. Such points have been called ‘counter-considerations.’ Their significance is explored here in the light of recent comments by Rongdong Jin, Hans Hansen and others. A conception of connector words such as “although”, “nevertheless,” and “but” is developed, as is a new model recognizing the need for an ‘on balance’ judgment in these arguments.
-
137A practical study of argumentWadsworth Pub. Co.. 1991.The book also comes with an exhaustive array of study aids that enable the reader to monitor and enhance the learning process.
-
29
-
19A delicate balance: what philosophy can tell us about terrorismWestview Press. 2002.Did the world change on September 11, 2001? For those who live outside of New York or Washington, life's familiar pace persists and families and jobs resume their routines. Yet everything seems different because of the dramatic disturbance in our sense of what our world means and how we exist within it. In A Delicate Balance , philosopher Trudy Govier writes that it is because our feelings and attitudes have altered so fundamentally that our world has changed. Govier believes that there are ethi…Read more
-
620. Emotion, Relevance, and Consolation ArgumentsIn Kent A. Peacock & Andrew D. Irvine (eds.), Mistakes of reason: essays in honour of John Woods, University of Toronto Press. pp. 364-379. 2005.
-
Physical violence in political conflicts : Grounds for a strong presumption against violenceIn Timothy Shanahan (ed.), Philosophy 9/11: Thinking About the War on Terrorism, Open Court. 2005.
-
27Victims and VictimhoodBroadview Press. 2014.Who is a victim? Considerations of innocence typically figure in our notions of victimhood, as do judgments about causation, responsibility, and harm. Those identified as victims are sometimes silenced or blamed for their misfortune—responses that are typically mistaken and often damaging. However, other problems arise when we defer too much to victims, being reluctant to criticize their judgments or testimony. Reaching a sensitive and yet critical stand on victims’ credibility is a difficult ma…Read more
-
17Is "There Are External Objects" an Empirical Proposition?Canadian Journal of Philosophy 8 (2): 305-321. 1978.Alice Ambrose once criticized Moore for treating the proposition ‘There are external objects’ as an empirical one. She said that those who denied that we could know this proposition to be true would not accept any evidence as going against their denial of it, and were not regarding the issue of its truth as empirical. She also maintained that one could not point out an external object in the way in which one could point out a dime or nickel and alleged on these grounds that saying that there are…Read more
-
105Trust, Distrust, and Feminist TheoryHypatia 7 (1). 1992.I explore Baier, Held, Okin, Code, Noddings, and Eisler on trust and distrust. This reveals a need for reflection on the analysis, ethics, and dynamics of trust and distrust-especially the distinction between trusting and taking for granted, the feasibility of choosing greater trust, and the possibility of moving from situations of warranted distrust to trust. It is impossible to overcome the need for trust through surveillance, recourse to contracts, or legal institutions.
-
19Arguing forever? Or: Two tiers of argument appraisalIn H. V. Hansen, C. W. Tindale & A. V. Colman (eds.), Argumentation and Rhetoric, Vale. 1997.In this paper I explore Ralph Johnson's proposal that in addition to premises and conclusion every argument should have a dialectical tier in which the arguer addresses objections to the argument, and considers alternative positions. After exploring several reasons for thinking that Johnson's proposal is a good one, I then raise a number of objections against it and move ahead to respond to those objections, which I do by distinguishing making out a case for a conclusion from offering an argumen…Read more
-
265Self-Trust, Autonomy, and Self-EsteemHypatia 8 (1). 1993.Self-trust is a necessary condition of personal autonomy and self-respect. Self-trust involves a positive sense of the motivations and competence of the trusted person; a willingness to depend on him or her; and an acceptance of vulnerability. It does not preclude trust in others. A person may be rightly said to have too much self-trust; however core self-trust is essential for functioning as an autonomous human being.
-
Alex C. Michalos, Militarism and the Quality of Life Reviewed byPhilosophy in Review 11 (2): 91-94. 1991.
-
4Douglas N. Walton, Arguer's Position: A Pragmatic Study of Ad Hominem Attack, Criticism, Refutation, and Fallacy Reviewed byPhilosophy in Review 5 (9): 405-406. 1985.
-
24Philosophers, Argument, and Politics without CertaintyInquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines 18 (1): 95-103. 1998.
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Areas of Specialization
Applied Ethics |
Social and Political Philosophy |
Logic and Philosophy of Logic |
Areas of Interest
Applied Ethics |
Meta-Ethics |
Social and Political Philosophy |
17th/18th Century Philosophy |