help with terms used in debate/discussion?

[mannysee]

Hi,

as i read through discussions on this site, i come across words such as presupposition, double-speak, circular reasoning, and so on.
I must admit, that i don't know what many of these words mean, that people tend to use replying to the other's sides arguments in their discussions.
Does anyone know of a small book that i could get hold of that explains what many of these words used in debates/discussions mean, so i can myself carefully consider what is being said when these words are found in a post.
By the way, i have read a few discussions in which when a persons agument is beginning to unravel (in my mind as i ponder his argument), that they begin to use big words with long sentences and tend to tie themselves in even bigger knots.

 

[Jon_]

Hi,

as i read through discussions on this site, i come across words such as presupposition, double-speak, circular reasoning, and so on.
I must admit, that i don't know what many of these words mean, that people tend to use replying to the other's sides arguments in their discussions.
Does anyone know of a small book that i could get hold of that explains what many of these words used in debates/discussions mean, so i can myself carefully consider what is being said when these words are found in a post.
By the way, i have read a few discussions in which when a persons agument is beginning to unravel (in my mind as i ponder his argument), that they begin to use big words with long sentences and tend to tie themselves in even bigger knots.

Presupposition

An unprovable assumption used as the premise of an argument. Presuppositions relate to the most basic assumptions that people make in life. For instance, the essential presupposition of the Christian is that the Bible is the word of God. Many atheists make the presupposition that there is no God.

Double-Speak

Double-speak is when someone says something that is intended to be interpreted as genuine, but in reality they are hiding the real meaning of it. It is a form of duplicity in which they represent something authentically, but they are really being deceptive.

Circular Reasoning

Circular reasoning, also known as begging the question, is an informal fallacy in which the conclusion of the argument is also used in the premises. Now, circular arguments are not formally fallacious. This is why presuppositions can be used in arguments, they are formally valid. A circular argument is an informal fallacy because they rarely illicit an assention to the argument. For instance, "God exists because the Bible says so and the Bible is the word of God," is not very influential to a non-Christian. It is actually a valid argument (it is a presupposition, in fact), but few people regard it as useful.

The best resource to use is Wikipedia for these kinds of things. It's free and easy to use.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Proeliator]

And have it open when ur gonna read Jon_'s posts

 

[Jon_]

And have it open when ur gonna read Jon_'s posts

Ack! Who, me!?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[mannysee]

thanks jon

 

[5solas]

And have it open when ur gonna read Jon_'s posts

Ack! Who, me!?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Augustine_Was_Calvinist]

Ack! Who, me!?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon