screamtobeheard
January 6th, 2012, 05:26 PM
1) Argue the point, not the person: Argumentums ad hominem argue against the person you are debating, rather than make a point about the actual argument. These arguments are logically false, and are usually counterproductive.
2) Don't make generalizations about people who disagree with you: All beliefs have some reasoning behind them, no matter how stupid you think the logic is.
3) Be respectful: Just because you disagree with someone does not give you the right to treat him/her like they are inferior to you.
4) Show some humility: Don't try to shove your ideas down someone else's throat. People are going to disagree with you, and their logic may be just as reasonable as yours. It's okay to accept that you have different opinions.
5) Don't act more intelligent or knowledgable than you really are: Don't act like you've read up on topics that you really haven't. It shows. Don't dismiss other people's arguments. Saying something like, "That's ridiculous!" is the same as saying, "I don't know how to answer that..."
6) Acknowledge when your opponent makes a good point: It doesn't abandon your point of view when you admit that someone makes a valid point.
7)Know what you're talking about: If you care enough to argue about something, research the topic. It's better to be prepared with viable knowledge than to just ramble on about something you're clueless about.
8) Study rhetoric and logic: Know about different types of logical fallacies, and be able to differentiate between persuasion and proof. (I'll make a post with different logical fallacies for reference, later.)
9) Know your goal: Arguing is not done to try to convince others that your set of beliefs is completely, invariably correct. It is done to defend your point of view. If you happen to convince someone of your opinions along the way, consider it a bonus.
10) Point out logical fallacies and other errors in arguing: It's okay to let someone know when their logic is invalid, but do it politely.
2) Don't make generalizations about people who disagree with you: All beliefs have some reasoning behind them, no matter how stupid you think the logic is.
3) Be respectful: Just because you disagree with someone does not give you the right to treat him/her like they are inferior to you.
4) Show some humility: Don't try to shove your ideas down someone else's throat. People are going to disagree with you, and their logic may be just as reasonable as yours. It's okay to accept that you have different opinions.
5) Don't act more intelligent or knowledgable than you really are: Don't act like you've read up on topics that you really haven't. It shows. Don't dismiss other people's arguments. Saying something like, "That's ridiculous!" is the same as saying, "I don't know how to answer that..."
6) Acknowledge when your opponent makes a good point: It doesn't abandon your point of view when you admit that someone makes a valid point.
7)Know what you're talking about: If you care enough to argue about something, research the topic. It's better to be prepared with viable knowledge than to just ramble on about something you're clueless about.
8) Study rhetoric and logic: Know about different types of logical fallacies, and be able to differentiate between persuasion and proof. (I'll make a post with different logical fallacies for reference, later.)
9) Know your goal: Arguing is not done to try to convince others that your set of beliefs is completely, invariably correct. It is done to defend your point of view. If you happen to convince someone of your opinions along the way, consider it a bonus.
10) Point out logical fallacies and other errors in arguing: It's okay to let someone know when their logic is invalid, but do it politely.