The Confirmation of Selves: Moral Obligation in Argument

Abstract

This paper contends that confirrna tion of the self is a product of argu mentation-a product manufactured in accordance with rule-governed moral obligations and expectations that are influential also in the com position of social systems. Relying heavily on the works of Chaim Perelman, Erving Goffman and Kenneth Burke, much of this pa per will be devoted to outlining and describing what seems to be the crucial point-that the indivi dual who participates in argument, even for matters of self interest, must and does rely on the coop eration of his interlocuters.