Trudy Rose Govier (born August 3, 1944) is a Canadian philosopher known for her work in

informal logic Informal logic encompasses the principles of logic and logical thought outside of a formal setting (characterized by the usage of particular statements). However, the precise definition of "informal logic" is a matter of some dispute. Ralph H. ...

and

argumentation Argumentation theory, or argumentation, is the interdisciplinary study of how conclusions can be supported or undermined by premises through logical reasoning. With historical origins in logic, dialectic, and rhetoric, argumentation theory, includ ...

. She is the author of the influential text ''A Practical Study of Argument''. She has also been a frequent commentator in Canadian media on issues related to violence and conflict resolution.

Career

Govier received her PhD in philosophy from the

University of Waterloo The University of Waterloo (UWaterloo, UW, or Waterloo) is a public research university with a main campus in Waterloo, Ontario Waterloo is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is one of three cities in the Regional Municipality ...

in 1971. She has taught philosophy at

Trent University Trent University is a public liberal arts university in Peterborough, Ontario, with a satellite campus in Oshawa, which serves the Regional Municipality of Durham. Trent is known for its Oxbridge college system and small class sizes.

Simon Fraser University Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public research university in British Columbia, Canada, with three campuses, all in Greater Vancouver: Burnaby (main campus), Surrey, and Vancouver. The main Burnaby campus on Burnaby Mountain, located from ...

, the

University of Amsterdam The University of Amsterdam (abbreviated as UvA, nl, Universiteit van Amsterdam) is a public research university located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The UvA is one of two large, publicly funded research universities in the city, the other being ...

, the

University of Calgary The University of Calgary (U of C or UCalgary) is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The University of Calgary started in 1944 as the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta, founded in 1908, prior to being ins ...

, the

University of Lethbridge , mottoeng = ''Let there be light'' , type = Public , established = , academic_affiliations = Universities Canada , endowment = $73 million (2019) , chancellor = Charles Weasel ...

, and the

University of Winnipeg The University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg, UW) is a public research university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and kinesiology and applied health as well as gr ...

. Much of Govier's work has surrounded practical argument, focusing on issues of trust, forgiveness, and reconciliation. She has been a distinguished visiting researcher with the

Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation, and Rhetoric The Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation, and Rhetoric (CRRAR) is an interdisciplinary research group within the University of Windsor, Canada, which supports research in the fields of argumentation, informal logic, and rhetoric. Notable ...

at the

University of Windsor , mottoeng = Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge , established = , academic_affiliations = CARL, COU, Universities Canada , former_names = Assumption College (1857-1956)Assumption University of Windsor (1956-1963) , type = Public universit ...

. She retired from teaching in 2012. The nature of Govier's approach to argumentation has prompted her to engage practically with social issues outside of academia. She is a founding member of the Calgary chapter of the peace activist organization

Project Ploughshares Project Ploughshares is a Canadian non-government organization which works to advance policies and actions to prevent war and armed violence and build peace located in the Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterlo ...

and has been involved in labour advocacy.

Selected works

*''A Practical Study of Argument, 7th Edition'' (Belmont: Wadsworth, 2012) *''Taking Wrongs Seriously: Acknowledgement, Reconciliation, and the Politics of Sustainable Peace'' (Amherst, NY: Humanity Books, 2006) *''A Delicate Balance: What Philosophy Can Tell Us About Terrorism'' (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2002) *''Forgiveness and Revenge'' (London: Routledge, 2002) *''The Philosophy of Argument'' (Newport News, VA: Vale Press, 1999) *''Dilemmas of Trust'' (Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1998) *''Social Trust and Human Communities'' Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1997) *''Socrates' Children'' (Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press, 1997) *''God, the Devil, and the Perfect Pizza.'' (Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press, 1989) *''Problems in Argument Evaluation and Analysis'' (Dordrecht, NL and Berlin: Foris/deGruyter, 1987)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Govier, Trudy 1944 births Living people Canadian women philosophers People from Edmonton University of Waterloo alumni Simon Fraser University faculty Trent University faculty University of Calgary faculty University of Winnipeg faculty University of Lethbridge faculty