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. 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 university, public research university located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is on of land adjacent to uptown Waterloo and Waterloo Park. The university also op ...

in 1971. She has taught philosophy at Trent University,

Simon Fraser University Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a Public university, public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It maintains three campuses in Greater Vancouver, respectively located in Burnaby (main campus), Surrey, British Columbia, Surrey, and ...

, the

University of Amsterdam The University of Amsterdam (abbreviated as UvA, ) is a public university, public research university located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Established in 1632 by municipal authorities, it is the fourth-oldest academic institution in the Netherlan ...

, the

University of Calgary {{Infobox university , name = University of Calgary , image = University of Calgary coat of arms without motto scroll.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms , former ...

, the University of Lethbridge, and the University of Winnipeg. 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 at the

University of Windsor The University of Windsor (UWindsor, U of W, or UWin) is a public university, public research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has approximately 17,500 students. The university was incorporated by ...

. 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 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 Writers from Edmonton University of Waterloo alumni Academic staff of Simon Fraser University Academic staff of Trent University Academic staff of the University of Calgary Academic staff of University of Winnipeg Academic staff of the University of Lethbridge