A Weaverian Standard of Ethical Argumentation: The Case of David Horowitz

Author:

• James P. Dimock (Minnesota State University, Mankato)

Abstract:

The Credo of the American Forensics Association expresses our "commitment to argument expresses our faith in reason-giving as a key to that power." We must recognize, however, that because it intersects the realm of action, argumentation is never ethically neutral. This paper advances a theory of ethical argument based on the works of Richard M. Weaver and tests that theory against one of the most controversial arguers in the public sphere, David Horowitz.