Class 18 - Feminist Alternatives, and the Arts of Argument

Welcome back!

Welcome back. In this class, we’re going to be looking at the idea that the way we frame argument is itself gendered, and that taking feminist perspectives seriously may cause us to think of argument differently. So we’re going to read the paper ‘Feminist Alternatives to Traditional Argumentation’ by philosopher Khameiel Al-Tamimi. But before that, we’re going to do a presentation briefing.

Presentation Briefing

Feminist Critiques of Argument

In her paper, Khameiel Al-Tamimi raises two feminist critiques of argumentation. These are:

• The cognitive and epistemic critique (females are socialised to think and interact differently, and males are socialised to be more comfortable arguing)
• The equity critique (argument is inherently patriarchal and unjust, as it is concerned with domination)

What we are going to look at and discuss today are Al-Tamimi’s proposed “alternatives to traditional argumentation.” Al-Tamimi suggests two alternatives: narrative argumentation and argument as co-operation. Here are some questions to talk about:

• What are narrative argumentation and argument as co-operation?
• In what sense are these feminist approaches to argument?
• What are the advantages of this approach to argumentation, as opposed to argumentation as combat?
• What are the disadvantages?
• If we take these feminist alternatives seriously, then what are the implications for how we think about argument and debate?

Homework

There is no reading homework this week! Your job is to get started on your presentation. I want you to bring to the next class:

1. An outline of the argument you want to make in your presentation
2. A sketch or draft of the presentation — however rough.