Bryon Nicholson
2/06/07
Lines of Arguments as Heuristics
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Possible-Impossible: Can the proposal be reversed
Past Fact: Has a less likely but comparable thing occurred?
Future Fact: Is the thing proposed an effect for which a cause already exists?
Size: What is comparable to the thing proposed? What is better?
Opposites: If the thing proposed is reversed, will the effects be reversed?
Inflections: If the key words are used in other pars of speech, will they be clearer or more
persuasive?
7. Correlative Terms: If opposite effects result from the anticipated, will the causes be the
same?
8. Degree (More or Less): Are other explanations or arguments less likely than the thing
proposed?
9. Time: Is the thing proposed more or less likely now than at some other time?
10. Turning Tables: Do your opponents’ actions or words contradict their arguments?
11. Definition: Will labeling or classifying the argument clarify it?
12. Ambiguous Terms: Are there vague or confusing terms whose definitions need to be
stipulated?
13. Division: Are there a finite number of opposing arguments that can eliminated
systematically?
14. Induction: What related examples support the thing proposed?
15. Precedents: Are there past events that parallel the thing proposed?
16. Parts to a Whole: Are there provable aspects of the thing proposed that can be extended to
the whole argument.
17. Simple Consequences: Are there bad consequences of the thing proposed?
18. CrissCross Consequences: Are there results of the thing proposed that run counter to
the stated purposes?
19. Inward thoughts, Outward show: Do your opponents believe things that run counter to
their arguments?
20. Proportional results: If specific aspects of the thing proposed were extended to other
situations, would the results be equally acceptable.
21. Same Results, Same Conclusion: Are their either causes of effects that both sides agree
on? If so, why aren’t the corresponding effects or causes agreeable as well?
22. Altered Choices: Has support of the thing proposed been inconsistent?
23. Attributed Motives: Are there hidden motives more logical and persuasive than the stated
ones?
24. Incentives and Deterrants- Who gains, who loses?
25. Incredible Occurences: Is there strong support for seemingly untenable positions.
26. Conflicting Facts: Do the known facts contradict each other?
27. Avoiding Slander: Are there plausible explanations for apparent contradictions.
28. Cause and Effect: if the effecs are provable, is the cause likely?
29. Course of Action: Assuming honorable motives, how is the knowledge people have
related to the thing proposed?
30. Actions Compared: Does the thing proposed conflict with past decisions?
31. Previous Mistakes: How have wrong past decisions affected the thing proposed?
32. Meaning of Names: Can word play clarify the issue?