Logically Speaking, Period 6, 16 Jun '09

[offthelisthero.livejournal.com]

"If you're looking to win an argument, it helps not to be factually wrong. Particulary about something easily disproven," Mohinder began. "Your completely valid argument about penguin habitats will be really undermined if start off by saying they can fly."

"So," he said, handing out papers. "First of all you need to be sure of what saying. Generalising arguments might make an impression but gives your opponent a chance to pick holes, find exceptions, distract from your original position. If an analogy gets your point across, use it, but remember you haven't proved your point."

"It's not always about being right," Mohinder said ruefully, "But about being convincing. Ad hominem attacks on the person rather than their argument, threats of force, or bias of language - someone is cowardly or cautious, steady or dull - are all useful tactics if you can make them work to your advantage."

"Now, with those tactics - but without violence, please - you're going to try and convince each other of one of these arguments."

[And the good ship OCD has set sail!]

Comments

Listening 6 (LS)

[offthelisthero.livejournal.com]

Like you're listening!

Re: Listening 6 (LS)

[wantstocheer.livejournal.com]

Claire listened and took notes.

Re: Listening 6 (LS)

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

Valentine grinned a little as she listened, a bit dryly, a bit amused, the lecture reminding her of far too many that Peter would yammer on about when they were first establishing Demosthenes and Locke.

Re: Listening 6 (LS)

[asgardcreated.livejournal.com]

Jon was listening, because he was good at arguing.

Re: Listening 6 (LS)

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Oooh, arguing. Something Gabrielle was used to.

She was also good at listening and, hands folded on her desk, she was doing just that.

Re: Listening 6 (LS)

[yakkoyaks.livejournal.com]

Yakko would not listen! And nothing you could say would convince him to listen!

He was good at arguemtns, clearly.