Abstract

In Chapter One, I discuss some of the characteristics and limitations associated with the traditionally oriented models of argumentation and communication that are the subject of critique in this thesis. In Chapter Two, I explore the idea that the socially and culturally defined attributes associated with one's gender identity carry over into our communicative and argumentative interchanges. In Chapter Three, I argue that because our perceptions and attitudes are effected by the limits of our social and cognitive environments, we should eliminate the predominance of adversarial connotations that surround the discourse of argument. In Chapter Four, I interpret and critique some alternative rhetorical communication theories to arrive at the conclusion that conceptualizing rhetorical argumentation solely in terms of having the goal of persuasion, is seriously limited. In Chapter Five, I give a brief synopsis of salient ideas from previous chapters. Additionally, I answer in the affirmative the research question of whether our argumentative and communicative practices should change in light of feminist insights. I also explore some limitations of feminist critiques of argumentation and communication. Dept. of Philosophy. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2000.S545. Source: Masterss International, Volume: 40-03, page: 0574. Adviser: J. A. Blair. Thesis --University of Windsor, 2000.