Why can't some people engage in an intelligent discourse without resorting to ad

1. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

   Why can't some people engage in an intelligent discourse without resorting to ad hominem attacks,
   
   even writing scathing articles about them ?  What happened to the art & concept of mature, logical, & impartial discussions?  When will people realize that argumentation is a futile waste of energy, leading to dissension or worse?
   
   

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2. 76

   lovemychrisposted 8 years ago

   1. Just plain mean-ness.Some people are just mean
   2. They're paid to do it: attack the messenger
   3. The inability to even accept that another view has merit
   4. Spoiled from birth to think they are always right
   5. "Charlie Brown Syndrome"....they are block-heads. It's like chipping at a huge wall with a chisel.
   6. Fear. Scared to see that maybe their myths are just that--myths.
   7. Superiority Complex: "Of course my views are the only right views"
   8. More fear: What if everything we've been told is a lie?
   9. MEANESS

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   1. 83

      Austinstarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Sandie, you have pretty much summed it up! I would only ad one thing, 10. Mental illness - some people are very sick.

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   2. 92

      lisavollrathposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      11. Stupidity. They are simply too dim to discuss an idea with someone who has a different viewpoint.

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      Link10103posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      11 hits the nail right on the head..

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3. 0

   Stargrrlposted 8 years ago

   Listen, I know to whom you refer in this question.  I know why you are asking this.  That individual has apologized for that article, this matter does not concern you.  I see no point in continuing this further.  It's obvious that you want to put the individual on blast, and built onto the snowball.  Let it go!

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   1. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      This was a general discussion, not anyone in particular.  People regularly resort to ad hominem attacks in discussions, esp. in internet forums.

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4. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Even though humans seldom acknowledge it, they are part of the animal kingdom.  Animals are territorial creatures.  Argumentation is an outgrowth of such territoriality.  People love to establish dominance over their environment and even over others.   Argumentation is an assertion of this  dominance.  People want to believe that they are right while proving others to be wrong.  It takes a mature, evolved person to realize that each person has a right to present his/her argument although is different, even opposite to the former. Many people have not reached the level where arguments can be impartial without resorting to attacks of any kind, including personal attacks.
   
   Argumentation is also an outgrowth of the sibling rivalry and other  confrontations we had as children.  People are also naturally competitive and want to win.  Argumentation is an extension of competition.  It is verbal competition to ascertain who is deemed better and the better one wins by being right while the one who is deemed worse, loses the argument by being wrong.  The average person does not want to lose an argument so h/she will oftentimes resort to any means necessary in order to win the argument, even if it is by immature and underhanded means.

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   1. 61

      Lisa HWposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      When people are careful enough to make sure their own assertions are well founded and adequately objective, they're right more often; and therefore not at all insecure about being wrong when it turns out they are   Insecure/overly so fight dirty.

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   2. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Lisa, it's so nice hearing from you.  Where have you been? Your premise is correct.

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