Analyzing and Diagnosing Disagreements
The basics
The purpose of analyzing a disagreement between two arguments is to understand what the underlying causes of the disagreement are. In other words, you diagnose why the opposing arguments disagree.
Notice that diagnosing a disagreement is not yet to “take a stand” on the issue yourself! The goal is to impartially describe the disagreement.
Notice also that in order to properly diagnose a disagreement, you must first have a thorough understanding of each side. Otherwise, you might give the wrong diagnosis!
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Diagnosing disagreements is analogous to diagnosing a disease. When you diagnose an illness, you find out what exactly is causing the body to be sick – and by doing so, you also discover what you might be able to do to fix it! Similarly, when you diagnose a disagreement, you find out what exactly is causing the opposition – and therefore, what would need to be addressed in order to come to an agreement.
some example diagnoses you might give:
1) One of the sides is misunderstanding the other (or perhaps both are misunderstanding each other!)
2) The sides are understanding a key concept differently.
3) The two sides have a difference in values. They differ in what they take to be the right thing to do, what is worth promoting or protecting, and what is not worth promoting or protecting.
4)The two sides are being motivated by a different set of concerns or interests.
5) The two sides agree about basic values (or are being motivated by the same things), but disagree about the best way to promote those values.
6) The two sides agree about basic values (or are being motivated by the same things), but disagree in their interpretations of what is “true” or "real".