Argument is an ART!

From the desk of: Derek du Toit

Have you ever, half-an-hour after a heated debate, realised what you could have said? Have you ever recognised that there was something wrong with someone's argument but did not know what? Have you ever found yourself wondering how someone arrived at a conclusion?

When I was younger, I had the same experience, over and over again, until I decided to build an understanding of the nature of the process of debate and discussion. I discovered that there are simple principles that guide people who are successful at getting others to see their point of view and who move others to action through their communication skills.

At some point I realised that argument is an ART. It is only partly dependent on logic, since we live in a world of imperfect information and therefore imperfect knowledge. Consideration must be given to emotions, hidden agendas, ambition, and many other aspects of the human condition.

ART of Argument Interactive Workshops

I developed the Art of Argument, an Interactive Workshop, to better enable people to do three things:

1. CONVINCE: Present a convincing argument for a proposed action or body of knowledge. Whether you're a salesperson, a member of a club, or are involved in an organisation, there are times when it is necessary to persuade others to take action or gain understanding.

2. COUNTER: Show why what others say is not so or cannot be so, or that they do not know it. People often make unsubstantiated statements - this skill will enable you to identify when people are 'stretching' the truth or creating knowledge out of thin air.

3. CONCLUDE: Arrive at a point where a degree of certainty can be attained. Vital to decision-making, this skill is most important for testing your own thinking, making sure that the conclusions you've arrived at are consistent with reality.

My Personal History

I started in Computers in 1974 as an Operator on Main-Frame Computers, the kind that would fill a large room and then some. After moving up to Programming and then Systems Analysis, I became a Management Consultant, specialising in Information Management. In 1995 I came across the work of Eli Goldratt, who had developed the Thinking Processes, a methodology using text in diagrams enabling people to clarify and communicate their thinking.

Having become familiar with Goldratt's tools, I then determined that I needed to understand Critical Thinking to a greater degree. It is a discipline requiring careful consideration, and when I applied the Goldratt methodology to Critical Thinking structures and rules, I found a mix that enabled people to understand the process of thinking more easily.

I then developed these Workshops with a view to helping people become more independent in their thinking, so that they could be influenced and controlled less by others. My original intent was to free people's minds, giving them a set of tools for determining their own reality rather than 'plugging into' someone else's. The ART of Argument is as much about arguing with oneself as it is about arguing against others. It is a way of approaching life, not just a methodology.

The Workshop

Here's what I cover in the one-day workshop:

1. Modelling Reality (Arguing with Self) - What is an Argument?; The Internal Dialogue; Arguing to Win, Reconcile, or Understand; Laws of Legitimate Argument.

2. Building Bridges (Arguing with Others) - Active Listening; The Art of Interpretation; Conflict Resolution; Getting to the Core of the Issue; Win-win, win-lose, and lose-lose argument;

3. 'Fawlty' Arguments (Recognising and Foiling Invalid Arguments) - Identifying and Defeating Illegitimate Arguments; Using Reservations; Coping with Irrational People; Situational Strategies; Strange Personalities, Hidden Agendas.

They are held in small groups of up to 15 people thereby facilitating personal attention and interactivity. Real-world scenarios are used as much as possible in exercises.

The Results

You will learn how to 'think on your feet'. The quality of your argument and your communication is largely dependent upon your thinking, and so addressing the quality of thought is half the battle won.

In life, our decisions are the turning points of our quality of life. You will know how to enhance your decision-making by qualifying the information at your disposal, considering all the variables, and placing the emotional issues in their proper place.

You will have confidence in your ability to stand up for yourself and your viewpoint. No longer will you be intimidated by controlling behaviour, pseudo-superior knowledge and intimidatory tactics.

Testimonials

"The first time I met Derek was also the first time we got into an argument - he likes to call it a debate. The debate has now lasted more than six years, although the subject has changed constantly. Debate to Derek is like breathing, and I suspect it is because of his relentless quest for answers.
In order to debate, one must be able to think, recognize faulty thinking and underlying emotions and/or hidden agendas too, but that is not enough. One must also be able to express an argument clearly and in a way that the audience of the day will be able to relate to (and not be offended).
Derek has come up with a number of thinking techniques and ways to recognize and combat faulty thinking. His teaching has transformed the way I think and present my thinking even though I always thought I was a strong thinker before.
This has had amazingly positive impacts on my professional and personal lives! It has assisted me to work and consult at the highest levels of organizations, while I can now better cope with my wife's argument of "logic is overrated" - how do you argue with that?"

Johan Maree, Pr Eng, Technical Consultant, Dubai, UAE

"My chance meeting with Derek proved to be life changing. Having spent years in Special Needs teaching and training, considered by many to be rather "off the wall" in my approach, I regarded myself a deep thinker. After embarking on Derek's course I realized how much of my so called thinking was purely rehashing thoughts that had been ingrained into my system of beliefs over the years.

Once I started to wrestle with real thinking, I learnt to step back instead of reacting and a whole new world of possibilities was opened up to me. Being able to see things from another's perspective was an added bonus and has stood me in good stead in my transition to a new country and an extreme but exciting Career change. My interaction with Derek changed my focus radically, opened the door to many possibilities and ultimately led me half way round the world. Derek's course and the many hours spent debating ideas with him, have transformed my thinking - the days of peering at life through what now seems like a scratched marmite bottle, have been replaced by looking through a sparkling prism."

Jane Kay, Educator, Alzheimers Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

I initially met Derek when he presented a course on Personal Empowerment for our company. At first I viewed the course with scepticism, as I thought the course content would be superfluous and was merely management's way of fulfilling their training commitment for junior employees.
I quickly realised this was not the case, and that this course could definitely teach me something.
I was impressed with Derek's ability to draw people into talking, or debating subjects, while at the same time, teaching them to realise what they were saying, and how much of our thinking is based on other people's perception of reality.
Derek has helped me to stop, and reflect on my idea of reality, all the while constantly challenging myself to better my understanding and ability to "Think for myself"
I would recommend everyone to take the time out to listen to Derek and begin thinking.

Alec Wicht, Project Manager, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Venue

I chose Ogilvy's in Midrand because it's central for everyone, and I have enjoyed a long and fruitful association with Leigh and her staff.

The Price

R700 for the day, which can be paid in advance a week before each session is held.
Compare this pricing to similar courses around and you will see that it is extremely competitive.
Registration
Please enter your name, email address and phone number (the one on which you will be easiest to reach) below, so that I can update you concerning dates, payments and send you links and information regarding improving your own thinking. Your email address will never be given to anyone else.
This does not oblige you to attend; it merely places you on my database so that I can let you know workshop dates and send you interesting links and free stuff.

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