The Argument Clinic — Monty Python
Gurinder Purewal
Introduction
One of the first concepts in any introductory course in philosophy is that of an argument.
An argument is a collection of statements — one of which is the argument’s conclusion and the rest of which are the argument’s premises — which are intended to support or justify the conclusion. Students can readily recall and repeat this definition (or variations on it) but are often initially unsure of how to apply it. Monty Python can help with that! (Fletcher 2021).
In their “Argument Clinic” sketch, an unnamed man, played by Michael Palin, enters an office reception and requests to have an argument. After a disorienting misstep into the Abuse office, he finds himself “arguing” with John Cleese’s character (identified as “Mr. Vibrating” on official transcripts). Hilarity and frustration ensue when it becomes evident that the two have very different conceptions of argumentation (Fletcher 2021).
Video
[Original video can be found on YouTube (TheFullMontyPython 2007)]
“The Argument Clinic”
Discussion Questions
What is an Argument?
- What sticks out to you the most in this video?
- What do you think is the most important aspect of an argument?
- Why was Michael Palin’s character dissatisfied with the “argument” provided by John Cleese’s “Mr. Vibrating” character?
Bibliography
Fletcher, Samuel C. 2021. “The Argument Clinic.” Blog of the APA (blog), March 24, 2021. https://blog.apaonline.org/2021/03/24/the-argument-clinic/.
TheFullMontyPython. 2007. “Argument Clinic.” YouTube video, 6:22. December 4, 2007. https://youtu.be/uLlv_aZjHXc?si=peEIVw5IRFZLR3Q5.
How to Cite This Page
Purewal, Gurinder. 2024. “The Argument Clinic — Monty Python.” In Great Thinkers, edited by Gurinder Purewal and Jenna Woodrow. Kamloops, BC: TRU Open Press. https://greatthinkers.pressbooks.tru.ca/chapter/the-argument-clinic-monty-python/
