The process of inquiry aimed at removing a previously defined obstacle to activity or understanding. Argumentation is a use of language with its own rules, procedures and criteria of appropriateness. Rational persuasion occurs when an audience assents to a claim, makes that claim its own, upon understanding that the claim rests on facts and principles already assented to. Argumentation implies respect for the autonomy and equality of its participants. Since persons desire this respect, argumentation, even when it fails to achieve agreement, forges bonds of friendship and loyalty.
Argumentation seeks to win rational assent on the basis of principles held in common.
By its very nature, therefore, it seeks to build and reinforce a sense of community and an ethos of cooperation. Argumentation requires participants to understand sympathetically opposing points of view and thereby to regard their own positions from within critical perspectives. As a means of inquiry and decision-making, argumentation thus leads participants to explore many sides of an issue, making it more likely that conclusions and decisions reached are the best possible. The principle, rule or general procedure on which the inference from ground to claim is based. The substantive factual support for the validity and applicability of the warrant.