The_Duck comments on The noncentral fallacy - the worst argument in the world? - Less Wrong

157 Post author: Yvain 27 August 2012 03:36AM

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Comment author: The_Duck 27 August 2012 06:57:34PM 6 points [-]

I think this should be explicitly connected to "policy debates should not appear one-sided". The incorrect response to the worst argument in the world results from forgetting this and trying to deny the downside to your position that your opponent has pointed out. The correct response is to acknowledge the downside but argue that the upsides outweigh it.

Comment author: DaFranker 27 August 2012 08:14:38PM *  1 point [-]

The correct response is to acknowledge the downside but argue that the upsides outweigh it.

Arguably, a better response (depending on the "goal" of the "debate") would be to demonstrate confidence in the upsides and their superior worth in a manner which connotatively implies that the downside is far overshadowed. That's somewhat Dark-Side-flavored, though.