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fubarobfusco comments on Open thread, Sept. 29 - Oct.5, 2014 - Less Wrong Discussion

6 Post author: polymathwannabe 29 September 2014 01:28PM

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Comment author: fubarobfusco 30 September 2014 03:24:40AM 2 points [-]

I don't think arguing from shared premises has ever been as "ordinary" as calling one's opponent a witch, a hater of truth, and a corrupter of the youth.

For one thing, arguing from shared premises exposes the arguer to the possibility that those shared premises might, when justly examined, lead to the opponent's conclusion.

Comment author: hyporational 30 September 2014 04:42:06AM *  2 points [-]

I don't think arguing from shared premises has ever been as "ordinary" as calling one's opponent a witch, a hater of truth, and a corrupter of the youth.

That would probably be true in the case of trying to convince an audience. I think Luke referred to convincing your interlocutor.

Comment author: Luke_A_Somers 30 September 2014 10:00:11PM *  0 points [-]

Maybe in highly political arguments with an audience. I'm talking about even more ordinary kinds of convincing people than that.

Comment author: polymathwannabe 30 September 2014 09:35:55PM 0 points [-]

For one thing, arguing from shared premises exposes the arguer to the possibility that those shared premises might, when justly examined, lead to the opponent's conclusion.

In which case you MUST concede the argument.