Kroll and strep throat

I believe after Tannen, my favorite author on argument is Kroll. I like reading his papers. It may be because he relates his writings directly with teaching. Kroll’s aikido samples connected to rhetoric were very unique and explanatory.
The idea of stopping the aggressive behavior but not fighting back is the secret for “arguing differently”. As Kroll stated, when we do not fight back we use the other sites energy against them. I believe Tannen was making the same comment in that when people fight at television programs it does not reach any solution, but if you choose not to fight back then you do not leave any room for them to argue with you in an aggressive way.
One of my professors at MU told one of her anecdotes. She was the manager of a bank and she needed to take care of upset and angry customers all the time. This was not an easy job for her with constant yelling and blaming. One day when she had some throat problems a very angry customer popped up . The man was yelling at her but as soon as she opened her month with her weak voice the man calmed down and started to listen. They could arrange a common solution.
The conclusion she made was: After that day whenever I had an angry customer, I had a bad throat.
So she was not fighting back but she was stopping his fight.

Aikido & Argument

There are many reasons why the theory and practice of Aikido are excellent vehicles for studying and approaching argument. One of the things that stands out to me most is that it is an alternative to assertive & aggressive argumentation. A disadvantage or consequence to assertive and aggressive argumentation is that when  one attempts to "fight back" against the conflict this may "drive the opposition into more deeply entrenched positions" (Kroll, 2008).

Instead, Aikido offers an alternative to "fighting back".  In the practice and theory of Aikido one uses the other persons energy against them (Kroll, 2008). Related to argumentation Kroll suggests that this is "when you accept their points as true, but then reach beyond them and express how even through these truths there is not enough to go on, the person has no argument left" (Kroll, 2008).

Not only is this a strategic move to prevent a stalemate and to keep argument and communication going, it is also harmonious, it is respectful of the other and the others position, it shows its commitment to the topic or issue with which people are arguing about, and it helps to facilitate a space for learning.

As is noted by Kroll, one does NOT need to be skilled in the physical practice of Aikido to practice the theory of Aikido as applied to argumentation, or to teach it- which makes this idea and potential practice accessible.

Kroll, B. (2008). Arguing with adversaries: Aikido, rhetoric, and the art of peace. College, Composition, and Communication, 59(3).

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