People engaging in argument will profit understanding the motivations underlying a disagreement, says Frank Zenker.

A post-doctoral fellow at the Filosofiska institutionen of Sweden’s Lund University, he will explore a mathematical model to determine the limits of debate in his free public lecture, “From Pro/Con to Compromise,” in the seminar room of Parker House, 105 Sunset Avenue, on Wednesday, March 14, at 3 p.m.

“Arguers can make use of these conditions in deciding how -- and whether -- to engage in a particular debate,” says Dr. Zenker. “The primary aim is to account for the fact that argumentative resolutions of deep disagreements appear impossible and in such cases, it is rational to start bargaining, rather than continue debating.”

This event is sponsored by the Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation and Rhetoric.