A stasis is a human-made argumentative framework that classifies the point of dispute between opposing positions into four successive types: (1) conjecture — whether an event occurred; (2) definition — what category or label applies to the event; (3) quality — how the event should be evaluated (justified, excusable, proportional); (4) objection — whether the forum or procedure is appropriate for the dispute. Its parameters: (a) classification — the four-tier hierarchy, each tier entered only if the prior tier is resolved; (b) function — it determines the axis of argument so that speakers address the right question; (c) persistence — transmitted through rhetorical handbooks (Aristotle, Hermagoras), legal training, and case analysis. [formal: stasis | substrate: mind | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
stasis
A stasis is a human-made argumentative framework that classifies the point of dispute between opposing positions into four successive types: (1) conjecture — whether an event occurred; (2) definition — what category or label applies to the…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A stasis is a human-made theoretical construct used in rhetoric and legal argument to identify the precise point of disagreement between parties. It classifies disputes into types — conjecture (did it happen?), definition (what is it?), quality (how bad or justified is it?), and objection (should we argue this at all?) — so that argument proceeds along the correct line of attack. Built to persist through teaching, legal practice, and rhetorical training.
Names and aliases
- stasisen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmri8ibso00cc6olqf94qx22iINSTANCE_OF →
Stasis is a specific kind of framework — it classifies and structures argumentative positions. A competent speaker would call a stasis 'a framework' for resolving disputes. Nearest kind: framework.
- cmrcnh0r600kp13vzxrtzespbINSTANCE_OF →
Stasis IS a specific kind of status: a status of inactivity, stillness, or absence of change. Competent-speaker test: 'stasis is a status' — yes. Status is the nearest kind since state/equilibrium don't exist as entries.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 30, 2026, 9:56 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 015dca9dac373cf979890dae0303091947e8cb991013c849eb1ecbfd88a13f6a