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6Gilbert as DisrupterInformal Logic 44 (1): 507-520. 2022.Michael Gilbert’s multi-modal theory of argument challenges earlier accounts of arguing assumed in formal and informal logic. His account of emotional, visceral, and kisceral modes of arguing rejects the assumption that all arguments must be treated as instances of one “logical mode.” This paper compares his alternative modes to other modes proposed by those who have argued for visual, auditory, and other “multimodal” modes of arguing. I conclude that multi-modal and multimodal (without the hyph…Read more
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11Greek Scepticism: Anti-Realist Trends in Ancient ThoughtMcGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. 1990.The idea that Western philosophy is a footnote to Plato is simplistic and inaccurate. Much of modern and contemporary epistemology owes a debt not so much to Platonism or Aristotelianism as to their antithesis: scepticism. Recent discussions in the history of philosophy have sparked a great deal of interest in the ancient sceptics, but until now they have been misunderstood and the significance of their philosophy not fully appreciated.
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34The Toils of Scepticism.Greek Scepticism: Anti-realist Trends in Ancient ThoughtPhilosophical Quarterly 41 (165): 512-513. 1991.
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13Gilbert as DisrupterInformal Logic 43 (4): 507-520. 2022.Michael Gilbert’s multi-modal theory of argument challenges earlier accounts of arguing assumed in formal and informal logic. His account of emotional, visceral, and kisceral modes of arguing rejects the assumption that all arguments must be treated as instances of one “logical mode.” This paper compares his alternative modes to other modes proposed by those who have argued for visual, auditory, and other “multimodal” modes of arguing. I conclude that multi-modal and multimodal (without the hyph…Read more
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10Review of How Philosophers Argue: An Adversarial Collaboration on the Russell-Copleston Debate (review)Informal Logic 43 (1): 138-146. 2023.This article reviews Fernando Leal and Hubert Marraud’s How Philosopher’s Argue: An Adversarial Collaboration on the Russell-Copleston Debate (Springer 2022).
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6Gilbert as DisrupterInformal Logic 43 (4): 507-520. 2022.Michael Gilbert’s multi-modal theory of argument challenges earlier accounts of arguing assumed in formal and informal logic. His account of emotional, visceral, and kisceral modes of arguing rejects the assumption that all arguments must be treated as instances of one “logical mode.” This paper compares his alternative modes to other modes proposed by those who have argued for visual, auditory, and other “multimodal” modes of arguing. I conclude that multi-modal and multimodal (without the hyph…Read more
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40Auditory Arguments: The Logic of 'Sound' ArgumentsInformal Logic 38 (3): 312-340. 2018.This article discusses “auditory” arguments: arguments in which non-verbal sounds play a central role. It provides examples and explores the use of sounds in argument and argumentation. It argues that auditory arguments are not reducible to verbal arguments but have a similar structure and can be evaluated by extending standard informal logic accounts of good argument. I conclude that an understanding of auditory elements of argument can usefully expand the scope of informal logic and argumentat…Read more
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13Where Do Sounds Fit Within Informal Logic?Informal Logic 38 (3): 362-368. 2018.In response to commentaries by Eckstein and Kišiček, I argue that the study of auditory arguments is very much in keeping with the critical thinking ideals that motivate informal logic. In the process I support further research on sound figures and the meaning of sound that would enhance our ability to analyze auditory arguments.
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15Recent work on multimodal argumentation has explored facets of argumentation which have no obvious analogue in the written arguments which were emphasized in traditional accounts of argument. One of these facets is prosody: the structure and quality of the sound of spoken language. Prosodic features include pitch, temporal structure, pronunciation, loudness and voice quality, rhythm, emphasis and accent. In this paper, we explore the ways that prosodic features may be invoked in arguing.
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81Good Reasoning Matters!: A Constructive Approach to Critical ThinkingOxford University Press Canada. 2004.Now in its fifth edition, Good Reasoning Matters! is a practical guide to recognizing, evaluating, and constructing arguments. Combining straightforward instruction with abundant exercises and examples, this innovative introduction to argument schemes and rhetorical techniques will help students learn to think critically both within and beyond the classroom.
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Scepticism: A DefenseDissertation, The University of Western Ontario (Canada). 1982.Sceptical arguments have played a seminal role in the development of philosophical thought. The thesis considers traditional sceptical arguments and their application to a variety of issues. Four major topics--the external world, logic and mathematics, ethics, and the problem of other minds--are discussed in detail. Three other topics are discussed to a lesser extent. In each case, the dissertation defends the sceptical conclusion that it is impossible to build a rational basis for belief, and e…Read more
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64What's in a Number? Consequentialism and Employment Equity in Hall, Hurka, Sumner and Baker et alDialogue 35 (2): 359-374. 1996.
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Rebuilding Rawls: An Alternative Theory of JusticeEidos: The Canadian Graduate Journal of Philosophy 2
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93Informal LogicStanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 1996.Informal logic is an attempt to develop a logic that can assess and analyze the arguments that occur in natural language discourse. Discussions in the field may address instances of scientific, legal, and other technical forms of reasoning, but the overriding aim has been a comprehensive account of argument that can explain and evaluate the arguments found in discussion, debate and disagreement as they manifest themselves in daily life — in social and political commentary; in news reports and ed…Read more
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Ultimacy and a new argument from design: Creationists, evolutionists, and the war about incommensurabilityUltimate Reality and Meaning 22 (4): 307-326. 1999.
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13Some Sources for Hume's Account of CauseJournal of the History of Ideas 52 (4): 645-663. 1991.We show that four central aspects of Hume's account of cause were contained and available to him in the translation of Sextus Empiricus' "Outlines of Pyrrhonism" contained in Thomas Stanley's 1687 _History of Philosophy
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55Parmenides' Timeless Universe, AgainDialogue 26 (3): 549. 1987.The paper defends my thesis that Parmenides' poem contains a critique of time, in answer to Mohan Matthen's criticisms of my views
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18In “Image, Evidence, Argument,” Ian Dove defends an intriguing ‘middle ground’ between those who argue that there are “visual arguments” and skeptics who argue that there are not. I discuss one of Dove’s key examples, proposing a different analysis of it, arguing that there are problems with the “verbal repackaging” of the argument he suggests.
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66Going Multimodal: What is a Mode of Arguing and Why Does it Matter?Argumentation 29 (2): 133-155. 2015.During the last decade, one source of debate in argumentation theory has been the notion that there are different modes of arguing that need to be distinguished when analyzing and evaluating arguments. Visual argument is often cited as a paradigm example. This paper discusses the ways in which it and modes of arguing that invoke non-verbal sounds, smells, tactile sensations, music and other non-verbal entities may be defined and conceptualized. Though some attempts to construct a ‘multimodal’ th…Read more
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51When Two Wrongs Make A RightInformal Logic 5 (1). 1983.CONTEMPORARY TREATMENTS OF INFORMAL FALLACIES TAKE TWO WRONGS REASONING AS A FORM OF FALLACIOUS INFERENCE. I ARGUE THAT SUCH INFERENCES ARE OFTEN VALID AND THAT AN ADEQUATE TREATMENT OF TWO WRONGS ARGUMENTS MUST DISTINGUISH VALID AND INVALID ARGUMENTS, RATHER THAN REJECT THEM OUT OF HAND
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada