Attendants of the OSSA 10 conference

Department of Philosophy Thursday, September 29, 2019

 

Dr. Moira Howes

Department of Philosophy

Trent University

Angry Arguments and the Matter of Emotional and Epistemic Uptake

Critical engagement is integral to the epistemic and ethical goods of argumentation. Where there is critique, however, anger sometimes follows. This is because anger typically arises when people’s feelings, goals, sense of self, security, values, or worldviews are challenged. Because angry reactions and responses can derail arguments and injure others -- often without good cause -- anger has long been regarded with skepticism both ethically and epistemically. Many contend that it is therefore best to avoid anger altogether. But anger can also help arguers identify ethical and epistemic injustices. Given this, failing to “take up” anger may subvert ethical and epistemic goals of argument. In such cases, many contend that arguers are obligated to engage in a caring and intellectually engaged manner with the emotional experience of anger and the information anger conveys over the course of argument. In this presentation, the question I address concerns how arguers are to distinguish between instances of anger that unjustifiably subvert the ethical and epistemic goals of argumentation from those that promote them.

4:00 – 6:00 pm

Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall

All are welcome

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