I really think it starts with logic, but that was what my philosophy professor stated, and he was biased. In any case, without those two, everything else would be merely polemics.
Shhesh. I think it all starts with sharpened rocks. Arrowsmiths are the centerposts of civilized discourse and understanding--academics are merely entertainers who ride on the backs of arrowsmiths.
Then there are archaeologists. In addition to being brilliant academics, many of us can chip out a pretty functional point.
See donh provided a perfect example. No logic and what do you get, polemics