5 2C H A P T E R 3 ■ T h e L a n g u a g e o f A r g u m e n tA partial list of terms that typically function as discounting connectives
includes the following conjunctions:
although even if but nevertheless
though while however nonetheless
even though whereas yet still
These terms are not always used to discount. The word “still,” for example,
is used for discounting in (a) “He is sick; still, he is happy” but not in (b) “He
is still happy” (or “Sit still”). We can tell whether a term is being used for
discounting by asking whether the sentence makes sense when we substi-
tute another discounting term: It makes sense to say, “He is sick, but he is
happy.” It makes no sense to say, “He is but happy.” It is also illuminating
to try to specify the objection that is being discounted. If you cannot say
which objection is discounted, then the term is probably not being used for
discounting.
The clearest cases of discounting occur when we are dealing with facts
that point in different directions. We discount the facts that go against the
position we wish to take. But discounting is often more subtle than this. We
sometimes use discounting to block certain conversational implications of
what we have said. This comes out in examples of the following kind:
Jones is an aggressive player, but he is not dirty.
The situation is difficult, but not hopeless.
The Republicans have the upper hand in Congress, but only for the time
being.
A truce has been declared, but who knows for how long?
Take the first example. There is no opposition between Jones being aggres-
sive and his not being dirty. Both would be reasons to pick Jones for our
team. However, the assertion that Jones is aggressive might suggest that he is
dirty. The “but” clause discounts this suggestion without, of course, denying
that Jones is aggressive.
The nuances of discounting terms can be subtle, and a correct analysis is not
always easy. All the same, the role of discounting terms is often important. It
can be effective in an argument to beat your opponents to the punch by antici-
pating and discounting criticisms before your opponents can raise them. The
proper use of discounting can also help you avoid side issues and tangents.
Still, discounting terms, like the other argumentative terms we have ex-
amined, can be abused. People often spend time discounting weak objections
to their views in order to avoid other objections that they know are harder to
counter. Another common trick is to discount objections no one would raise.
This is called attacking straw men. Consider the following remark: “A new
building would be great, but it won’t be free.” This does not actually say that
the speaker ’s opponents think we can build a new building for free, but it97364_ch03_ptg01_041-058.indd 52 11/14/13 1:53 PM
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