The Concept of Argument, a comprehensive volume published in 2014, encapsulates twenty-five years of research into the structural and practical foundations of logical discourse. Written by German philosopher Harald Rüdiger Wohlrapp, this work serves as a synthesis of his efforts to define the role of argumentation in academic and public inquiry within the modern world.
Academic Background
Born in Hildesheim in 1944, Wohlrapp pursued studies in philosophy, social sciences, and linguistics across Freiburg, Paris, and Erlangen. He was educated at the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, where he came under the influence of Wilhelm Kamlah and Paul Lorenzen. These mentors introduced him to the Erlangen School and the principles of Methodical Constructivism, which provided the bedrock for his later intellectual developments.
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Wohlrapp served as a professor of philosophy at the University of Hamburg from 1983 until 2009. Following his retirement from the professorship, he remained associated with the institution as a senior research fellow. His research interests have spanned dialectics, including the works of Plato, Hegel, and Marx; pragmatism, specifically Peirce, Mead, and Hugo Dingler; as well as the philosophy of science and language.
Philosophy of Argument
Wohlrapp posits that argumentation is essential for academic and public progress, though he critiques contemporary argumentation theory for an over-reliance on the Aristotelian focus on inference and persuasion. He argues that this approach neglects the subjective and dynamic nature of discourse. His model defines a valid thesis as one that can be defended against objections within an open forum, integrating the Principle of Transsubjectivity to account for the role of individual subjectivity in knowledge formation.
Fast facts
- Born: 1944, Hildesheim, Germany
- Citizenship: Germany
- Educated at: University of Erlangen–Nuremberg
- Employers: University of Hamburg
- Field: Philosophy of argument
- Notable publication: The Concept of Argument (2014)
Questions readers ask
What is the core focus of Wohlrapp's work?
His primary research concentration is argumentation theory, specifically how arguments function to resolve gaps in orientation through inquiry.
How does he define a valid thesis?
A thesis is considered valid if its justification can be maintained while being free from objections in an open forum of arguments.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Hamburg
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