Ad hominem. Maybe Michael is familiar with this one. I saw it in this interesting quote on a weblog.
I tune out the ad hominems. Try to argue, instead, by complimenting the intelligence and ethics of the person who opposes your viewpoint. Try to understand where they're coming from, and show that you understand. ... Each of us has a different point of view. That someone sees it differently is a good thing, emphatically, it is not a personality flaw.
1 comment:
Yep, I'd heard ad hominem before...it just means name calling, but some people (like philosophers) don't feel they can use small words.
The quotation's great--it's always better to listen to the other side honestly instead of assuming you're right and the other person's an idiot. That's what's so irritating about a lot of the stuff on TV/radio/etc--you know, the shouting matches that forgo real, civil discussion of the issues for raised voices and condescending laughter.
And even if the other person IS an idiot, that doesn't mean he's not right!
-Michael
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