Why You're Arguing Wrong

In school, in work, and even with that cute librarian who kindly deducted from your overdue fine, we love to argue. I venture to say it’s a human thing, because I have yet to see anything else initialize a debate. We do it in relationships, in class, and I’ve heard it in restrooms. Argument is unavoidable, it is necessary, and, when you think about it, it’s damn fun. I just wonder why we’re all so bad at it.

You’re probably aware of ‘logical fallacies’. I hope you are. It’s an important concept to be aware of. Most arguments we make fail solely on the fact that we aren’t arguing correctly; most of our arguments fail to hold up when they stand on emotions, tangential topics, or simple foolish reasoning. The shortcoming I’ve heard so much in the last year is one without a special moniker of its own- perhaps because when pointed out, the technique is so glaringly false it defies the need of a name.

Arguing on the basis of your personal opinion as logic is not just improper, it is childish.

I don’t speak of an appeal to anecdote, where you give me a personal story to support yourself- at least that’s a shred of evidence. I don’t speak of an appeal to common sense, wherein you tell me that your mental state isn’t developed enough to understand the viewpoint- that speaks to your own weakness. I can live with these two close relatives.

I just find it beyond difficult to handle those who wish to state that I am wrong when they are consciously negligent. “____ is bad.” “Why is ____ bad?” “Because I do not like ____.”

_____ never did anything to you. _____ is pretty cool. Maybe you have an opinion on ____, but that does not tell me why ____ is bad. You’re telling me it is, but not why. I have an open mind. I’m willing to see your viewpoint.

Pursuing this line of thought usually leads to the fallous arguer getting frustrated, shutting down, and insulting you (attack me all you want, you have yet to attack my rhetoric).

This week’s GOP debate glowed red with examples of proper argumentative failings. Do you really believe that now, in the year before an election, we should be so far behind in our argumentative strategies?

An argumentative debate can’t run smoothly when you refuse to defend your words with anything other than your opinion- it simply cannot be. Study your fallacies, please. Or at least use a marketable informal logical fallacy- don’t tell me the entire truth (Jeb), tell me that it’s absurd without why it’s absurd (Rand Paul), stating that there was only one cause to a complex issue (Rubio), or just be an outrageously heinous speaker; maybe get a job that doesn’t require that you learn to discuss civilly.

Let’s keep it civil- keep fallacies as far away from your lips as you can.