Introduction to a negative approach in argumentation

Abstract

There is a prevailing approach in philosophical argumentation, that I call affirmative, which sustains that discussions can be decided in favor of one of the parties. The negative approach states that each side has one own Gestalt of the problems being discussed, relative to its presuppositions, premises and forms of sequitur admitted. Two opposite statements on the same issue (for example, abortion) may be both true. A kind of "objective relativism" is defended in the light of the negative approach in philosophical argumentation.