3 ms·
I disagree with the author. Bringing up "what about x" has many valid uses. For example: "Look at my perpetual motion machine!" "What about the cable plugged
by te_platt 18y ago
I disagree with the author. Bringing up "what about x" has many valid uses. For example:
"Look at my perpetual motion machine!"
"What about the cable plugged into the outlet?"
"Don't change the subject!"
"You are a murderer because you killed Mr. Jones."
"What about the fact that Mr. Jones broke into my house and was trying to rape my wife?"
"Two wrongs don't make a right!"
Certainly it can be abused but very often the "what about x" argument can be a valid way of introducing new and relevant information.
- phugoid 18y agoNot all all. In both cases, your "what about" stayed on topic.
- te_platt 18y agoThat was exactly the point I was trying to make. "What about" arguments can be valid.
- potatolicious 18y agoSplitting hairs, he was specifically referring to the deflection-style "what about" argument, as if the sins of others justifies one's own.
- ecommercematt 18y agoHow does one differentiate "deflection-style 'what about' arguments" from valid "what about" arguments free from bias?
- berntb 18y agoIf that was a serious question and not a troll, check philosophy courses; should be some online. They have a bit of history in that discipline of logic and analyzing arguments...
- ecommercematt 18y agoI wasn't trolling. I was just pointing out that it seems like a subjective distinction as a practical matter and asking if there was a way to make it less subjective in the context of online comments, argument rebuttals, etc.