Pseudo-Arguments

A pseudo-argument lacks a reasonable argument, which doesn’t allow the possibility of growth and change or the evidence to back up claims that have been made.

Each person involved in the argument are fanatically committed to their positions. Usually a rational argument requires, “reasonable participants who operate within the conventions of reasonable behavior and potentially shareable assumptions that can serve as a starting place or foundation for the argument.” (Writing Arguments) A pseudo-argument doesn’t have one or both of these conditions. It also doesn’t allow the participants of the argument to reach a common ground.

For example, I have witnessed a pseudo-argument about whether or not eating a good breakfast helps you do better on a test. There are two sides, one side continues to do well academically and they don’t have to change their opinion, and there is the other side that thinks otherwise. Because the student is doing well in school they don’t have to change their opinion, therefore common assumptions cannot be made.