What kinds of arguments do politicians use? A group of UWindsor researchers will share the findings of their study on Thursday, November 17, at 4 p.m. in room 105, Memorial Hall.

Philosophy professors Hans V. Hansen and Douglas Walton, and students Sam Atkin, Dillon Fowler, Laura Nicola and Shane Perron will report on their study of this fall’s Ontario election in a free public presentation, “How Do You Argue? Let Us Count the Ways.”

The group looked at the types of arguments by candidates for office – analogy or ad hominem, among others – and their use to present policies, criticize opposing positions, or criticize opponents themselves.

Drawing on a database of more than 250 entries from the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and Windsor Star newspapers between September 7 and October 6, the researchers will report on the frequency of each kind of argument.

Drs. Hansen and Walton are fellows of the Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation and Rhetoric, which presents this event.