How to stop being manipulated in a debate:
A thread to counter fallacies:
A thread to counter fallacies:
In a debate, when people are short of rational argument or overwhelmed by their opponents one
They’ll often try to switch roles by using fallacies to prove their point in the eyes of the audience
They’ll often try to switch roles by using fallacies to prove their point in the eyes of the audience
Here, I’ll show you some of the tactics they use and how to counter them:
1) Ad hominem
Often in a debate, when people can't question your argument
They’ll instead try to distract the audience from it by attacking you
This strategy is called Ad hominem
Often in a debate, when people can't question your argument
They’ll instead try to distract the audience from it by attacking you
This strategy is called Ad hominem
It often appears as insults, targeting one of your characteristics as your credibility..
And can also be a way for them to discredit your argument by discrediting you
And can also be a way for them to discredit your argument by discrediting you
Watch how Trump does it against Cruz here:
Here, What’s important is to stay calm, ignore the attacks, and focus on the argument
Cause if you get emotional and answer the insults, you switch the focus and prove it affects you
You can also use sarcasm to acknowledge it and focus on your point
Cause if you get emotional and answer the insults, you switch the focus and prove it affects you
You can also use sarcasm to acknowledge it and focus on your point
Watch how Cruz stays calm and doesn't let Trump’s accusation shift the focus:
2) The extension
Now, in a situation where people know they can't refute your argument
They’ll often pretend a false interpretation of it
That means they’ll consciously misinterpret it and present it in an absurd way
Now, in a situation where people know they can't refute your argument
They’ll often pretend a false interpretation of it
That means they’ll consciously misinterpret it and present it in an absurd way
Here, their goal is to discredit your argument and position
They want to appear as if they're refuting it by making you seem absurd
Or they can also try to make you say things you didn't
They want to appear as if they're refuting it by making you seem absurd
Or they can also try to make you say things you didn't
Watch in this interview how the journalist uses this tactic against @jordanbpeterson
Here, what’s interesting is that the journalist uses both ways against him
As she misinterprets things he says but also tries to make him say things he didn’t
As she misinterprets things he says but also tries to make him say things he didn’t
Now, if you’re in this situation, you want to react exactly like him
I mean you want to stay calm and repeat your position clearly and accurately
And also, listen carefully, to be sure they don’t make you say anything you didn’t
I mean you want to stay calm and repeat your position clearly and accurately
And also, listen carefully, to be sure they don’t make you say anything you didn’t
if you get angry, people can assume you feel threatened
3) False Dilemma
We’re uncomfortable with complexity, we prefer clear and simple choices
That’s why sometimes to make their argument seem favorable,
People will present it to you and the audience, as having only two options with one you must choose
We’re uncomfortable with complexity, we prefer clear and simple choices
That’s why sometimes to make their argument seem favorable,
People will present it to you and the audience, as having only two options with one you must choose
Whereas there are more, they didn't consider
They can also use it to simplify difficult issues by ignoring the alternatives
They can also use it to simplify difficult issues by ignoring the alternatives
Here’s a famous example of George Bush using this tactic:
Now, this tactic can be more difficult to spot as it often appears valid and calls for your emotions
Still, you want to take your time, stay logical and present the flaws of the choices offered
Then, try to identify all the possible alternatives
Still, you want to take your time, stay logical and present the flaws of the choices offered
Then, try to identify all the possible alternatives
4) Trigger your opponent
When you take advantage of a debate, leaving your opponents short of logical arguments
They’ll often ignore the subject and become personal
When you take advantage of a debate, leaving your opponents short of logical arguments
They’ll often ignore the subject and become personal
It can be using mockery, interruptions...
Or by questioning your legitimacy towards the subject, considering some factors like your age or experience…
Or even your past statements or actions
Or by questioning your legitimacy towards the subject, considering some factors like your age or experience…
Or even your past statements or actions
Here’s an example with Trump and Biden so you can visualize it:
Here, getting angry can damage your credibility and affect your judgment
Instead, you want to stay calm, logical and respond in a respectful way
To prove you can control your emotions and avoid making mistakes
To prove you can control your emotions and avoid making mistakes
End.
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If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me @TheMentalist_0 for more of these
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
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