You can generate counterarguments by asking yourself what someone who disagrees with you might say about each of the points you've made or about your position as a whole. Once you have thought up some counterarguments, consider how you will respond to them--will you concede that your opponent has a point but explain why your audience should nonetheless accept your argument? Will you reject the counterargument and explain why it is mistaken? Either way, you will want to leave your reader with a sense that your argument is stronger than opposing arguments.

When you are summarizing opposing arguments, be charitable. Present each argument fairly and objectively, rather than trying to make it look foolish. You want to show that you have seriously considered the many sides of the issue, and that you are not simply attacking or mocking your opponents.

(When I read that I thought wouldn't it be great if we had that in our politics, but in the end we are all subject to the human condition and that's being lazy and we don't like to consider opposing views.)

In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Why should I consider opposing views when I know that I'm right?

I would think that you would want to present evidence that you have considered the alternative. This is the major criticism I have of the right. They don't care to show they are at least educated on the manner at hand.

Good luck with that here haha

Our political dialogue is wrapped around making our opponent look foolish and mocking them.


It's the playbook and it will continue to be the playbook because it's effective.

(05-01-2017 12:15 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  Our political dialogue is wrapped around making our opponent look foolish and mocking them.


It's the playbook and it will continue to be the playbook because it's effective.

I think the last election proved that its not very effective. It was what HRC ran on. Donald Trump was the anti-Christ and his supporters were deplorable and despicable.

Mach.. congratulations you just ruined your own argument.

You want to show that you have seriously considered the many sides of the issue, and that you are not simply attacking or mocking your opponents.

Then what do you do? You mock those who disagree with you in the very next post.

"This is the major criticism I have of the right. They don't care to show they are at least educated on the manner at hand. "

Post #7 look at Post #3 in response to Post #2

This is the Spin Room in a nut shell.

A. Why should I consider opposing views when I know that I'm right?

B. To show you are at least educated on the subject.

C. Why are you mocking A?

ugggghhhhhhhh

(05-01-2017 12:09 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  I would think that you would want to present evidence that you have considered the alternative. This is the major criticism I have of the right. They don't care to show they are at least educated on the manner at hand.

FFS Mach, this very posts drips with the "we do it well and you all suck" mentality that you're supposedly trying to elevate us beyond.

(05-01-2017 12:15 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  Our political dialogue is wrapped around making our opponent look foolish and mocking them.


It's the playbook and it will continue to be the playbook because it's effective.

We now take a break from this thread to bring you SNL's 100% anti right narrative and the adoring adulation of the left.

(05-01-2017 01:01 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  This is the Spin Room in a nut shell.

A. Why should I consider opposing views when I know that I'm right?

B. To show you are at least educated on the subject.

C. Why are you mocking A?

ugggghhhhhhhh

It goes more like this

A. We should always strive to argue based on evidence and not attack
B. (jokingly) Why should I consider opposing views when I know that I'm right?
C. (seriously) Why do you nut jobs on the other side always do this when "my side" does not
D.

(05-01-2017 12:59 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  Post #7 look at Post #3 in response to Post #2

Hood-rich was being funny. You weren't.

I have posted on here many times an article for people to read. Many times people have commented back to me they haven't read it nor do they care too because it won't change their opinion. It's a major problem with our political dialogue. Just sayin'


back to the knives and cat of nines

(05-01-2017 02:04 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  I have posted on here many times an article for people to read. Many times people have commented back to me they haven't read it nor do they care too because it won't change their opinion. It's a major problem with our political dialogue. Just sayin'


back to the knives and cat of nines

Most of the times that happens, (but not always) its partisan nonsense like your obsession with Trump and Russia.

When I think back
On all the crap I learned in high school
It's a wonder
I can think at all

(05-01-2017 02:04 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  I have posted on here many times an article for people to read. Many times people have commented back to me they haven't read it nor do they care too because it won't change their opinion. It's a major problem with our political dialogue. Just sayin'


back to the knives and cat of nines

And people on the left never do that, do they?

(05-01-2017 02:18 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(05-01-2017 02:04 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  I have posted on here many times an article for people to read. Many times people have commented back to me they haven't read it nor do they care too because it won't change their opinion. It's a major problem with our political dialogue. Just sayin'


back to the knives and cat of nines

Most of the times that happens, (but not always) its partisan nonsense like your obsession with Trump and Russia.

Buckle up!

(05-01-2017 02:04 PM)Machiavelli Wrote:  I have posted on here many times an article for people to read. Many times people have commented back to me they haven't read it nor do they care too because it won't change their opinion. It's a major problem with our political dialogue. Just sayin'


back to the knives and cat of nines

And many, many more times you have posted on here doing the exact same thing you are complaining about. Physician heal thyself.

Here nor there I do think it's an appropriate thought going forward. We can not change the past but we can strive for a different dialogue going forward.