Arguing from precedent in two French public debates

Abstract

This paper examines various argumentative moves that may be refered to by French “précédent”. It proposes a general pattern common to these moves. Variants of this general pattern are then distinguished according to their argumentative orientation. Examples are taken from two French consensus conferences in order to show how arguments from precedent may help lay people to elaborate their position on complex technological issues.

Keywords: Argumentation, argument from predecent, consensus conference, public debate.