Arguments as Abstract Objects

Authors

G. C. Goddu, University of RichmondFollow
Paul S. Smith
Andrei Moldovan

Abstract

In recent discussions concerning the definition of argument, it has been maintained that the word ‘argument’ exhibits the process-product ambiguity, or (as in Goddu forthcoming) an act/object ambiguity. Drawing on literature on lexical ambiguity we argue that ‘argument’ is not ambiguous. The term ‘argument’ refers to an object, not to a speech act. We also examine some of the important implications of our argument by considering the question: what sort of abstract objects are arguments?

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

5-18-2011

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2011, Ontario Society for the Study of Argumentation. This article first appeared in Proceedings of the 9th OSSA Conference, 2011. Argumentation: Cognition & Community (2011).

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Recommended Citation

Goddu, G. C, Paul S. Smith, and Andrei Moldovan. "Arguments as abstract objects." Proceedings of the 9th OSSA Conference: Argumentation: Cognition & Community, University of Windsor. May 18, 2011. http://scholar.uwindsor.ca/ossaarchive/OSSA9/keynoteblairprize/4/