Quote:
Originally Posted by 81MC
Don’t consider your ability to point out a fallacy as a great thing. There are several ways to get that message across, and simply saying ‘that’s a fallacy!’ is likely the least effective. Because even the most intelligent people may find themselves simply misunderstanding your point, which can be more indicative of your skills than theirs.
Don’t assume it’s the other party. Consider how your presenting your argument, and if it actually is going anything to change the stance of the other. If someone is ignorant of something, your job when discussing it when them is to enlighten, not point our their ignorance as your win.
|
The trend of shouting out what fallacy people are using is a scourge on online discussion. It's not even used in bad faith by those who shout it out, it just has zero, and I mean zero positive value in a discussion. There's generally two reactions:
a) The person doesn't really know the fallacy or understand what accusation is being laid upon them
b) they get their back up and the discussion degrades even further than it already has.
It generally comes from the educated and irritates the uneducated, causing more friction and anger. I know everyone likes to think online discussion is a battle that they have to "win", but that is absolutely not the case if we have any chance of progressing as a civilization.
When faced with a chance to point out a fallacy it's almost always better to just either a) try to explain your position again, more clearly or simply or b) walk away.