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You're right in that holding a position that is extremely divergent from the consensus view is an interesting place to be. I don't know if that necessarily fol
by MartinCron 13y ago
You're right in that holding a position that is extremely divergent from the consensus view is an interesting place to be.
I don't know if that necessarily follows that having a "fair" debate is impossible. There's nothing unfair about a majority of people disagreeing with you. Objective truth isn't determined by majority vote.
It is unfair to say "you're the only one who thinks that, so you must be wrong" but I don't see any of that happening here. If anything, I see a lot of "you're the only person who has expressed this opinion, I'm curious to know why that is?"
- sdegutis 13y agoI'm thinking more of those who fall prey to the argumentum ad populum, and inspired with that confidence, they cite respectable-looking sources and consider them to be irrefutable proof. These people always win their arguments.
- MartinCron 13y agoInteresting perspective, I would say that almost nobody ever actually wins an argument. Nor do I think that winning an argument is even a meaningful goal, especially online. The best that you can hope to do is make a new and interesting point that will resonate with someone. Don't be afraid to do that. Even when you're wrong. You're totally wrong on the contraception thing, by the way :)
- sdegutis 13y agoI agree. I wasn't here to "win" any argument or debate. And the reason I didn't expound on my position at first was to avoid those who are. And I know I'm right about the contraception thing. But exploring this open communication between people who disagree with me is much more important to me than having yet another going-nowhere debate about ethics and morals.