Challenging Greco-Roman argumentation trajectories: argument norms and cultural traditions.

• Author: Combs, Steven C.
• Position: Overview to Fall 2004 issue of magazine

A common view in western scholarship is that argumentation is to be valorized, generally, as a key component of good decisions, and, specifically, as an essential "tool" for life in western, democratic societies. Klumpp, Hollihan, and Riley (2002) note "the study of argumentation practice has developed out of a sense of commitment to a democratic process of deliberation, organized and institutionalized debate, and then political action" (p. 579). Zarefsky (2002) describes the pedagogic emphasis of the argumentation field as "the study and teaching of general argumentation, which in turn has been seen as valuable equipment for citizenship in a complex society" (p. 35). Kauffeld (2002) suggests that, in our culture "learning, institutions, public life, even the economy, all depend on argumentation" (p. 24). Hence, argumentation scholars are generally secure in their belief that "good" argumentation practices are essential in both our personal and public lives in sorting out ideas and arriving at the best possible decision, given the situation.

This commitment to argumentation is, in large part, a direct result of our European intellectual tradition. As Branham (1991) notes: "The basic assumption of Greek and Roman debate is widely held today--that wise decisions (whether in governance or the administration of justice) can only be reached through the clash of conflicting points of view" (p. 8). Yet this inheritance is unique to the west, and consequently, our fascination with argument as the central component of decision-making processes may deserve to be interrogated. Indeed, Zarefsky (2002) calls for further comparative study of argumentation. He maintains that looking outside our culture will help us "know better where our findings need to be relativized and where we may have insights that are valid across cultures" (p. 36). Comparative studies of argumentation in different cultures can bring to light literatures that have been overlooked or marginalized and promote new understandings of argumentation processes and practices.

This issue of Argumentation and Advocacy begins with the view that argumentation can be conceived and performed in a variety of ways. Argumentation is a manifestation of particular patterns of human interaction drawn from diverse assumptions regarding everything from the nature of reality to the most preferable ways for humans to live. In short, cultural patterns and traditions form an environmental field that...