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Rational Comprehension of Arguments in Theoretical Texts: A Program for an Argumentative-Linguistic Approach

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A method of linguistically-oriented reasoning comprehension is proposed. It is based on semiological principles of text comprehension. Both content and form are essential for comprehending argumentative texts. A text recipient is viewed as a rational judge trying to detect all the components of the argument he/she considers and thus to see if the argument is consistent. Elementary and higher level argumentative units of the text are discovered by applying a modified S. Toulmin's model of argumentative functions. Validity and correctness of arguments are established by means of a new – linguistic – interpretation of traditional syllogistic.

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Vassiliev, L.G. Rational Comprehension of Arguments in Theoretical Texts: A Program for an Argumentative-Linguistic Approach. Argumentation 17, 21–34 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022946330299

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022946330299

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