Debate Dynamics: How Controversy Improves Our Beliefs

Download or read book Debate Dynamics: How Controversy Improves Our Beliefs written by Gregor Betz and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-08-15 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Is critical argumentation an effective way to overcome disagreement? And does the exchange of arguments bring opponents in a controversy closer to the truth? This study provides a new perspective on these pivotal questions. By means of multi-agent simulations, it investigates the truth and consensus-conduciveness of controversial debates. The book brings together research in formal epistemology and argumentation theory. Aside from its consequences for discursive practice, the work may have important implications for philosophy of science and the way we construe scientific rationality as well.