Dialectical definitions. A semantic and linguistic approach to argument schemes

Fabrizio Macagno

The purpose of this research project is to develop the theory of argumentation schemes (Walton, Reed, Macagno 2008) connecting the semantic and the logical aspects of human reasoning in a comprehensive account. The purpose of such project is twofold: on the one hand quasi-logical patterns of reasoning can be explained and analyzed showing their relation with the semantic system shared by a community; on the other hand, texts can be analyzed and interpreted using the instruments provided by argumentation theory, which can be used to bring to surface their implicit reasoning (implicatures, innuendo…), premises and redefinition. This research will be focused on the concept of verbal classification and definition, and will be conducted in different phases considering different levels of analysis.