“It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Loses an Eye (-Test): On the Presence and Consequences of an Argument Scheme that Re-Works Our Notions of Evidence and Support”

Authors

Matthew P. Brigham, James Madison UniversityFollow

Abstract

This essay explores an argument scheme commonly employed in sport communication, the “Eye Test,” which claims that a good faith watching of two teams or athletes, for instance, provides its own evidence as to which is superior. A distinction is drawn between a weak version of the argument, the earned eye test, and the strong version, the universal eye test. Focusing on the latter, which does not rely on expertise but claims that any individual should be able to see the proof of the argument, the essay explores a range of everyday and public sphere arguments that operate similarly to this eye test. By suggesting that the eye test subverts the expectation of an arguer’s burden to provide evidence in support of their claims, and instead rely on obvious common sense and self-evidence, the author argues that scholars of rhetoric and argument ought to regard with suspicion the use of such processes of argument.

Recommended Citation

Brigham, Matthew P. (2025) "“It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Loses an Eye (-Test): On the Presence and Consequences of an Argument Scheme that Re-Works Our Notions of Evidence and Support”," Studies in Debate and Oratory: Vol. 2, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholar.stjohns.edu/sido/vol2/iss1/3