個人の大衆性が弁証法的議論に及ぼす影響に関する実験検討

Abstract

This study was aimed to examine the impacts of vulgarity of the masses, the concept discussed by Ortega, on dialectic discussion. We predicted that dialectic discussion tends not to be conducted when the mass man takes part in the discussion. To test this hypothesis, we implemented an experiment that targeted university students. Participants were asked to respond to questionnaires proposed in the previous study for measuring the vulgarity of the masses on the basis of Ortega’s theory. They were then asked to take part in discussion over a social issue by pairwise coupling. The result suggested that the masses tend not to discuss with the opponent cooperatively and are more likely to switch focuses of argument in presence of opponent’s opposite opinion. Furthermore, it was found that the masses tend not to change their attitude through discussion. The results revealed evidence in support of the present hypothesis that dialectic discussion would be prevented by the presence of the masses.