New for 1998: How to use Rogerian Argument | A variation on Rogerian argument: Practical Argumentation
Rogerian Argument: Definition of terms | History | Applying a Rogerian Argument: Politics |
Arguments bring with them harsh words and strong feelings...but do they have to? The Rogerian style of argument emphasizes persuasion with respect for the opposition as opposed to proving the point with evidence and confrontation.
Persuasion: The object of a Rogerian style argument is to convince the opposition about the merits of your argument, to help them understand your point of view and lead them toward support for your conclusions. That was the goal of Martin Luther King when he wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
"When you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can’t got to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her little eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see the depressing clouds of inferiority begin to form in her little mental sky, and see her begin to distort her little personality by unconsciously developing a bitterness toward white people."
Martin Luther King's appeal to emotion as he makes his case against segregation does much to persuade the audience.
Opposition directed: The audience in a Rogerian argument is the opposition. These are the people you are attempting to convince of your position. In January of 1963 eight prominent white Alabama clergyman published a letter urging Dr. King to avoid non violent resistance to segregation which they believed would lead to civil disturbances. Dr. King composed the open "Letter from Birmingham City Jail" in response to their concerns. In the first paragraph of the letter he writes, "Since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms."
Nonconfrontational: This trait of Rogerian logic does not seek to make the individual opposing your view wrong through confrontation, it seeks to help the opposition to understand your point. If Dr. King had completed the above statement with a phrase such as "I will show you prejudiced bigots how wrong you are", his argument would have been blatantly confrontational. Instead he seeks to answer them patiently and reasonably.
Respectful of opposing views: Respect is a key aspect of Rogerian logic. Genuine respect should show in all of your statements and conduct toward the opposition. If people are treated disrespectfully it is unlikely that they will seriously consider your position. Dr. King’s phrase "Since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth" illustrates his respect of their views.
Dialogic: Without continuing dialogue there can be no opportunity to convince others of your position. Dr. King showed his understanding of this principle when he wrote, "The purpose of the direct action is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. We, therefore, concur with you in your call for negotiation. Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather that dialogue."
Listening and Explaining: Since listening implies understanding, it seems essential for "one to pay attention to another's ideas as you would have them pay to yours" (Brent, University of Calgary). A face-to-face communication takes place while constantly reflecting images of one another's ideas providing connectedness and promoting empathy. For true Rogerian rhetoric to take place, one must be able to reflect another's point of view before stating one's own (Brent).
Keeping Communication Going: Relationships revolve around dialect and in order to discover other's beliefs, experiences and values, one must purposefully communicate. The looking-up of fact in the context of the arguments that support them and looking at arguments in the context of other world views would ensure empathic communication. Exploring an opposing point of view without hostile language is to be avoided at all costs.
Emphasizing Understanding: Empathy for people that view matters differently because of culture, religion, gender, like experiences, politics or ethics is at the beating heart Rogerian rhetoric. It is an empathetic attitude for another's view that allows Rogerian rhetoric to accomplish its goal of mutual compromise and gives "grounds for confidence in a multiplicity of way of knowing" (Booth 1974; see also Bator, 1992).
Allowing Pluralistic Truths: In contrast to classical rhetoric where one side of an issue was defended to the fullest, Rogerian rhetoric demands that all concerns be richly explored by either party to enable them full understanding of another's beliefs and values. Through the discovery of these issues, it would become evident to both parties that plural truths exist on either side.
Although some people would prefer suiting up with a pair of sparring gloves to box out a quarrel, most of us would prefer an equitable solution. By listening to and reflecting upon your understanding of another's ideas, you keep the line of communication open while earning your opposition's respect by genuinely accepting their issues. A unified solution may be found through willing parties who arbitrate with a comprehensive empathy toward one another. For if compromise is the order of the day, then this may be the prime reason for using the Rogerian method of argument.
References
Originally appeared at Ron Steffen's Community Guide to Argumentation site at Southwestern Community College and recovered by the Wayback Machine (http://www.archive.org).