It might be a big claim to make, but I'll make it. If everyone who ever argued utilized stasis theory, while the argument might not be resolved, some understanding will always be reached.

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What is stasis theory?

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Stasis theory is a tool that' useful for discovering what the reality being argued is.

Many times people who argue are simply making different points but don't take a moment to listen to other other person. What values and assumptions are behind their argument that is different from the other person's arguments? Stasis theory is useful for confirming the facts, definitions evaluations and take causes (Introduction to College Rhetoric and Inquiry (textbook), page 68).

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Four things have to be determined and therefore four questions must be asked. They are as follows;

• Did something happen? 

• What is the nature of the thing?

• What is the quality or cause of the thing?

• What actions should be taken?

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In order for stasis theory to be a useful tool, the questions must be answered in order.

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In order to answer the first question, one has to determine the facts behind the issue i.e. what caused it. In order to answer the second question, one has to determine the nature of the problems i.e. define it - what does it mean? how does it fit together?. In order to answer the third question, one has to figure out if it's a positive or negative thing and if the issue is serious, and if it is or not, what evidence do we have to back the claim up. In order to answer the fourth question, all the parties concerned has to figure if somethings would be done about the issue and if so what needs to be done to solve the issue.

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Example:

In a murder law case, how can these questions be used?

1. Is there a dead body?

2. If there is a dead body, was it murder?

3. If it is murder, is it good or bad? And does evidence back up the claim that the accused is the murderer?

4. What is does the law have to say about that?

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Now that these questions have been answered, it can hopefully promote the natural step: For all parties to agree on what to do next.