Who would hire an argumentologist?

The other evening, a new acquaintance, upon inspecting my name card, asked: "Just what is an argumentologist? Who would engage your services?" These are both questions deserving of a considered answer.

I coined the word "argumentologist" -- but it is not a frivolous or careless coinage.

The "argument" portion comes from logic, where it refers to the combination of reason and position, taken together.

The "ologist" portion of the word "argumentologist" carries the meaning "student of", as is also the case in the words "psychologist", "etymologist", "entomologist", "oncologist", "anthropologist" etc.

Thus, an argumentologist is a student of arguments. His expertise is analysing and evaluating arguments. He learns to differentiate between bad and good arguments.

Now for the second question: Who would engage an argumentologist's services?

A manager receives proposals for competing new directions or actions. He may need help with the corresponding arguments.

Two disputing parties hurl arguments at each other, making no headway in either direction. They may need help to assess who has the stronger case.

Someone is on the verge of a major life decision, and is confused by all the pros and cons of each option. He may need help to weigh the options, and to decide from among them.

A parent agonises over his work-life balance. He may need help finding the middle ground.

A student can't decide whether his teacher's or his parent's views on sex are correct. He may need help to analyse and evaluate the various arguments.

All these people, and many others, can benefit from engaging an argumentologist's services -- either to perform the analyses and evaluation for them, or to teach them how to do it for themselves.

Knowing why one believes and does what one believes and does is the only path to living a conscious life. (Caveat: One is, of course, free to live an unconscious life.)

Finally, to all those still sceptical of the benefits of engaging an argumentologist's services, let me just ask this: What are the tests for a good arguments?