The Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation & Rhetoric along with the PhD in Argumentation Studies at the University of Windsor invite you to a talk by
Shiyang Yu, Visiting Fellow, CRRAR & Associate Professor, College of Philosophy, Nankai University, China, &
Frank Zenker, Professor, College of Philosophy, Nankai University, China.
Towards an analytical framework for ad hominem arguments
Abstract: While ad hominem arguments are traditionally regarded as categorical fallacies of relevance, argumentation scholars today widely recognize them as conditionally fallacious arguments of three basic types: abusive, circumstantial, and tu quoque. However, argumentation scholars lack a framework to analyze such arguments in a unified way, a framework this talk develops by focusing on the transfer of information from arguers to audiences (e.g., in the case of the argument from expert opinion). The criteria for a successful transfer of information suggest that cogent ad hominem arguments hinge on justified accusations targeting the addressee’s lack of honesty, competence, or further personal deficiencies reducible to these two characteristics. Among others, this framework helps to locate a weakness in the extant three-fold typology of ad hominem arguments and to understand better the rationale underlying the circumstantial and the tu quoque types.
September 27, 2024
3:00 p.m.
Chrysler Hall North, 1163
All Welcome