Propositions
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A proposition is the declarative statement
that an advocate intends to support in the
argument.
Some propositions are stated formally, some
are stated informally, and some are implied.
Propositions usually answer questions: such
as What should be done about inflation?
Is the same thing as the claim in the Toulmin
model, or a conclusion in classical model.
Assertions
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There is a difference between a
proposition, claims and an assertion.
An assertion is a claim or proposition
with no support.
Assertions tend to weaken arguments
due to their lack of support.
Responsibilities of Advocates
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Anyone who argues in favor of the general
proposition has the burden of proof for that
proposition.
The burden of proof is the responsibility to
provide enough evidence and reasoning to
justify acceptance by a critical thinker.
Those who argue against the proposition
have the benefit of presumption.
More:
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Presumptions are the perspectives that
the proposition should not be accepted
until sufficient evidence and reasoning
have been provided to justify
acceptance.
Types of propositions
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Propositions of fact – when an advocate
argues in favor of accepting a
statement that is something factually
true, was factually true, or will be
factually true.
A proposition of fact still requires
support so it does not matter if it is
good or bad.
Proposition of Fact
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California will suffer an earthquake of
10.0 in the next 5 years. OR:
Jeff Gordon is the best Nascar driver
ever!
The advocate then provides reasons to
believe the statement.
Stock issues for Fact
Stock issues: definition and distinction
Defines what the proposition means and does
not mean
Stock Issue: criteria – establishes truth
How do we tell if something is true or not
Stock Issue: application
Arguing that criteria are being met or will be
met , so proposition is true
Proposition of Value
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You support an evaluation about something,
such as how good a product is.
Stock issue: Value – an argument of which
value or set of values is the most important in
drawing a conclusion for this argument
Such as: vegetables are healthier than meat
– set of values is taste, health, life, quality of
life, etc.
Proposition of Policy
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Whenever you argue that some change of
action should take place.
Many times involve public policy issues and
laws
Policy propositions attempt to make a change
in the status quo
Example: The federal government should
institute a national health care program for all
US citizens.
Stock Issues for Policy
What are stock issues?
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“Arguments that naturally recur in
disputes over propositions of policy.”
(Hollihan and Baaske)
Arguments that address “all” of the
stock issues usually are stronger than
those that don’t.
Stock issues address the
following questions:
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What is the problem?
How big is the problem?
What’s causing the problem?
What should be done to correct the problem?
How well will that action solve the problem?
Will the action create other benefits or
harms?
What are the stock issues for
propositions of policy?
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Harm
Significance
Inherency
Plan
Solvency
Advantages
Harm:
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The advocate tries to demonstrate that
something is wrong that needs to be fixed.
The problem(s) can be existing now or in the
future.
The problem(s) can be within people,
animals, psychological, economic,
environmental, organizations, etc . . .
Opposition would indicate that there is really
nothing wrong.
Significance:
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Shows how bad the harm is.
Two types of significance: qualitative and
quantitative.
Qualitative significance shows that the harm
has severe detrimental effects on whoever is
harmed. (value argument)
Quantitative significance is concerned with
how much has been effected? (factual
argument)
Inherency:
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What is causing the harm in the status quo?
Two types: structural inherency and
attitudinal inherency.
Physical and systematic causes can create
problems within the status quo.
Such things as laws, regulations, and judicial
decisions can have an effect on a status quo.
More:
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Attitudinal inherency is concerned with
the attitudes that people hold that
cause the problem.
Attitudes are unlikely to change unless
some kind of legislative action takes
place.
Plan:
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What you propose to do to solve the
problem.
This stock issue is critical to the
affirmative.
The plan can be small or large, detailed
or vague in nature.
Make sure your plans are “realistic”.
Solvency:
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Addresses: “How much of the problem
will be solved by the plan?”
Some solutions don’t solve all of the
problem.
We can’t assume that a plan will resolve
the entire problem.
Opposition would show that the plan is
unworkable.
Advantages:
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Addresses: “What will be the benefits
of adopting the plan?”
Similar to Monroe’s “visualization” step.
The opposition would address
disadvantages of the proposed plan.
Methodology:
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Start by figuring out whether the arguer is
proposing or opposing a proposition.
Decide what the proposition is and what kind
of proposition it is?
Keep in mind that stock issues do not come in
any particular order and are rarely explicitly
identified.
Some stock issues are not addressed in the
argument.
More:
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How well were they addressed?
Did the arguer meet the “burden of
proof?”
Finally, make a judgment of whether
you believe the argument was strong or
weak?
Conclusion:
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Understanding the stock issues for each type
of proposition helps you make your own
arguments, evaluate the arguments of
others, and respond to arguments.