Common Knowledge and Argumentation Schemes

Studies in Communication Sciences, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 1-22, 2005

24 Pages Posted: 31 Jan 2011

See all articles by Fabrizio Macagno

Fabrizio Macagno

Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Douglas Walton

University of Winnipeg - Department of Philosophy

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

We argue that common knowledge, of the kind used in reasoning in law and computing is best analyzed using a dialogue model argumentation (Walton & Krabbe 1995). In this model, implicit premises resting on common knowledge are analyzed as endoxa or widely accepted opinions and generalizations (Tardini 2005). We argue that, in this sense, common knowledge is not really knowledge of the kind represent by belief and/or knowledge of the epistemic kind studied in current epistemology. This paper takes a different approach, defining it in relation to a common commitment store of two participants in a rule-governed dialogue in which two parties engage in rational argumentation (Jackson & Jacobs 1980; van Eemeren & Grootendorst 2004). A theme of the paper is how arguments containing common knowledge premises can be studied with the help of argumentation schemes for arguments from generally accepted opinion and expert opinion. It is argued that common knowledge is a species of provisional acceptance of a premise that is not in dispute at a given point in a dialogue, but may later be defeated as the discussion proceeds.

Keywords: enthymemes, defeasible reasoning, generalizations, evidence, generally accepted opinions, legal argumentation, metadialogues

Suggested Citation

Macagno, Fabrizio and Walton, Douglas, Common Knowledge and Argumentation Schemes (2005). Studies in Communication Sciences, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 1-22, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1751660

Fabrizio Macagno (Contact Author)

Universidade Nova de Lisboa ( email )

Av. Berna 26 I&D Building, office 4.02
Lisbon, 1069-061
Portugal

HOME PAGE: http://fabriziomacagno.altervista.org/

Douglas Walton

University of Winnipeg - Department of Philosophy ( email )

Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9
Canada

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