The noncooperative pragmatics of arguing

Goodwin, Jean. “The Noncooperative Pragmatics of Arguing.” In Pragmatics in 2000:  Selected Papers from the 7th International Pragmatics Conference edited by Eniko T. Nemeth. 263-77. Antwerp: International Pragmatics Association, 2001.

Some contemporary theories of argumentation derive normative rules for the argumentative process from the assumption that it is a cooperative one. Based on this case study of the principles invoked by advocates in the closing arguments of the OJ Simpson criminal trial, I show that arguing can be both noncooperative and normatively regulated. I close by suggesting a modified approach to Grice’s so-called “cooperative” principle.