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Ixiel comments on Open thread, Jun. 13 - Jun. 19, 2016 - Less Wrong Discussion

2 Post author: MrMind 13 June 2016 06:57AM

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Comment author: Lumifer 13 June 2016 03:02:27PM 3 points [-]

Well, provide enough evidence/arguments so that the point stands on its own merit. The general stance is "I'm not asking you to trust me, look at the evidence yourself".

Comment author: Ixiel 13 June 2016 03:20:19PM 0 points [-]

Yeah, for want of a specific book counter that's what I figured. But I figured if there WERE a book method to bypass that this is the community that would know, and it'd be worth knowing. Thanks anyway.

Comment author: g_pepper 13 June 2016 04:16:35PM *  0 points [-]

The standard "book counter" would be to point out that the objection is a fallacious argumentum ad hominem. However, unless you are in a formal or quasi-formal debate situation or addressing an academic audience, Lumifer's suggested approach is preferable, IMO.

ETA: I wonder why this was downvoted; it seems like a non-controversial comment that is relevant to the topic.

Comment author: Ixiel 13 June 2016 04:20:48PM *  0 points [-]

You're quite right of course. I'll probably do both, point out the invalid argument AND have a rock solid argument of my own. Thank you for your input.