This document is a very brief summary of the book Argumentation: Analysis, evaluation, presentation (Eemeren, F.H. van, Grootendorst, R., & Snoeck Henkemans, A.F., 2002). It is a summary of chapter 1 to 8, including examples.
The content of a statement always constitutes a certain proposition in which a certain
property or quality is ascribed to the persons or things referred to.
Standpoint: A position from which the proposition is considered or judged (a point of view)
- Positive: when you try to disprove the proposition.
- Negative: when you try to justify the proposition.
- Neutral: when you are in doubt / you are not sure.
Different forms of difference of opinion:
- Multiple: when more than one proposition is at stake.
- Single: when there is just one proposition at stake.
- Mixed: opposing standpoints are adopted with respect to the same proposition.
- Non-mixed: one standpoint is adopted with respect to the proposition.
1.1 Disagreement and argumentative discussion
Argumentative discussion: if people make use of argumentation as means to achieve a
resolution of a difference of opinion.
1.2 Explicit ad implicit differences of opinion
Implicit: only one party expresses its views, the other party’s doubt is anticipated.
A difference of opinion arises when two parties do not fully agree on a given standpoint.
1.3 Positive and negative standpoints
Proposition: UFOs are a hoax.
Dan: I think Ufos are a hoax positive
Paula: I don’t think UFOs are a hoax negative
Alice: I don’t know whether UFOs are a hoax or not neutral
Sometimes it is difficult to see the difference between a positive standpoint and the
proposition: sisters are nice.
Sometimes it is diffucult to see the difference between a negative standpoint and a neutral
position: I wonder if that’s a good idea. Very often this has to do with politeness.
1.4 Standpoints and expressions of doubt
Proposition can differ in:
, 1. Subject (onderwerp)
2. Scope (reikwijdte: op 1 persoon of hele groep bijv.)
3. Force (kracht: met zekerheid of met voorzichtige veronderstelling)
A standpoint can be related to more than one proposition.
- Indicators: and, but
1.5 Types of differences of opinion
Elementary form of difference of opinion: when a standpoint meets with doubt.
- Single
- Non-mixed
Any complex differences of opinion can be broken down into two or more elementary
differences of opinion. The following single mixed difference of opinion can be analysed as
consisting of two elementary differences of opinion:
Peter: You always react too fast!
Alice: I do not!
First elementary difference of opinion:
Peters positive standpoint with respect to the proposition.
Alice’s doubt about this standpoint.
Second elementary difference of opinion:
Alice’s negative standpoint with respect to the proposition.
Peter’s doubt about the standpoint.
1.6 Main and subordinate differences of opinion
In trying to identify a difference of opinion, it is important to distinguish between the main
difference of opinion and any subordinate differences of opinion.
Subordinate differences of opinion ontstaan doordat aangevoerde argumenten zelf ook weer
in twijfel worden getrokken of tegenspraak tegenkomen.
Instead of being states at the outset, the main difference of opinion often comes to light
gradually, so that what the two parties actually disagree on becomes clear only in the course
of the discussion. What also often happens is that the same standpoint is repeated in a
somewhat different way:
Alice: The French are chauvinistic. I mean, most French people are chauvinistic. I’ll
tell you why I think so…
1.7 How to recognize standpoints and doubt
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