Comments on: On having an opinion http://www.ficml.org/jemimap/wordpress/2003/02/23/on-having-an-opinion/ Cheating on the Kobayashi Maru since 2001 Thu, 14 May 2026 17:31:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.11 by: Laughing... http://www.ficml.org/jemimap/wordpress/2003/02/23/on-having-an-opinion/#comment-262 Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:54:08 +0000 http://www.ficml.org/jemimap/wordpress/2003/02/23/on-having-an-opinion/#comment-262 [deleted rhetorical question that was answered the day before this comment was made -<i>jp</i>] [deleted rhetorical question that was answered the day before this comment was made -jp]

]]> by: Melymbrosia http://www.ficml.org/jemimap/wordpress/2003/02/23/on-having-an-opinion/#comment-261 Tue, 25 Feb 2003 02:36:13 +0000 http://www.ficml.org/jemimap/wordpress/2003/02/23/on-having-an-opinion/#comment-261 <i> I never find myself cutting off an argument with an irrational opponent by saying you've already made up your mind - that is hardly B's problem. If I have the time, interest, or a sudden fit of educational zeal, I will argue until it has become quite clear that B is a hopeless case. Then I just walk away, and I don't look back.</i> The distinction you're making here escapes me. Whether you say it aloud or not, you're dropping an argument because you've decided B has already made up his or her mind or is not responsive to further discussion. Why is it preferable to drop an argument without offering an explanation why? I never find myself cutting off an argument with an irrational opponent by saying you’ve already made up your mind - that is hardly B’s problem. If I have the time, interest, or a sudden fit of educational zeal, I will argue until it has become quite clear that B is a hopeless case. Then I just walk away, and I don’t look back.

The distinction you’re making here escapes me. Whether you say it aloud or not, you’re dropping an argument because you’ve decided B has already made up his or her mind or is not responsive to further discussion. Why is it preferable to drop an argument without offering an explanation why?

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