The concealed weapons tactic is an effective argumentation technique, particularly useful for a surprise attack in a debate. It is a somewhat deceptive tactic, but it can be ethically used as a counter-tactic against blatant disinformation, bad-faith arguments, and other deceptive practices. To explain how it works, let’s say you’re arguing with climate change deniers. They … Read more
When refuting manipulative arguments or debunking false beliefs, it is best to avoid using weakly favorable reasons. As an illustration, consider two passages used in a 2011 study titled “When Good Evidence Goes Bad: The Weak Evidence Effect in Judgment and Decision-Making.” Participants read one of these passages: Widespread use of hybrid and electric cars … Read more
Joseph Story, an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court in the first half of the nineteenth century, may be somewhat known to American lawyers, completely unknown to non-American lawyers, and totally irrelevant to everyone else. And yet, his pithy advice on crafting effective arguments, such as “strike but a few blows, but strike them to … Read more