Argument, Changing Minds, and Persuasion

Matthew McKeon

doi:10.5325/philrhet.58.3.0291

Philosophy & Rhetoric May 2026

Argument, Changing Minds, and Persuasion

Matthew McKeon Michigan State University

Abstract

ABSTRACT Pinto notes, in effect, that for your change of mind induced by a use of an argument to count as being persuaded by the argument, you must perform the inference that is invited. How is it determined what inference is invited by one’s use of an argument advanced to persuade someone of the conclusion? This essay uses the notion of an inference claim. It highlights how invitations to inference count as meta-argumentation, drawing on Aikin and Casey. Also, the essay shows how an invited inference accords with Mercier and Sperber’s notion of inference featured in their account of argumentative reasoning.

Journal: Philosophy & Rhetoric
Published: 2026-05-13
DOI: 10.5325/philrhet.58.3.0291
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Open Access: Closed
Topics: argument
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Argument, Changing Minds, and Persuasion

Abstract

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Cited by in this index (0)

References (39) · 6 in this index

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