Preface Introduction Part One: A Conception of Argument 1. Why Do We Argue? 2. Why Argument Matters 3. Public Argument in a Democratic Society Part Two: Case Studies in Public Argument 4. The Simple Truth Thesis 5. Pushovers 6. Incredulous Tones 7. The Surprising Truth about Hypocrisy 8. Language, Spin, and Framing 9. Argument Online Conclusion: Civility in Argument 　

"Why We Argue is a superb book for students of philosophy, politics, and argumentation. Moreover it is a necessary read for anyone seeking a clear introduction to the ethical importance of well-reasoned public argument. In my ideal world, this text would be required reading for college students and politicians alike." Lawrence Torcello, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA "Aikin and Talisse offer a guide to political disagreement and argument that takes seriously both the cognitive health of the individual arguer and the collective health of democratic society. Their clear prose and theoretically engaged analyses of current case studies effectively skewer the argumentative foibles of both the political left and the political right. This lively and engaging book effectively connects the epistemology of argument quality with the political demands of decent democratic life." Harvey Siegel, University of Miami, USA "Why We Argue makes a compelling case for the significance of argument in our everyday lives, but what sets this book apart is the insistence on the importance of what we owe to others when we are arguing. This emphasis on the social aspects is an important contribution to the literature on teaching the nature and purpose of argument." Emily Esch, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, USA