Contendre

Contendre is a term used in some strands of rhetoric and argumentation theory to describe a deliberate, structured approach to disputation that seeks to engage competing viewpoints rather than simply refute them. It emphasizes that understanding should emerge from the careful weighing of evidence on all sides.

The term is a neologism that has appeared in scholarly articles and pedagogy texts since the late 20th century. It remains uncommon in standard dictionaries, and its exact definition varies across disciplines. In general, contendre is used to denote a process rather than a fixed doctrine.

In practice, contendre involves defining a claim, articulating counterclaims, documenting supporting and contradicting evidence, and tracing the logical relationships between positions. Proponents encourage recording arguments in structured formats, such as argument maps or formal dialogues, to facilitate transparent evaluation and synthesis.

Critics argue that contendre can slow decision making or obscure essential disagreements. Proponents contend that it strengthens critical thinking, collaborative problem solving, and resilient conclusions. Related ideas include dialectics, deliberative democracy, argumentation theory, and argument mapping.