Arguments are essential for communication, persuasion, and reasoning. But not all arguments are fair, valid, or sound. Some arguments use tricks to manipulate, deceive, or confuse you. These tricks can be intentional or unintentional, but they can affect your ability to think critically and make informed decisions. How can you spot and avoid tricks in arguments? Here are some tips to help you.
The first step to evaluate any argument is to identify the claim and the evidence. The claim is the main point or conclusion that the arguer wants you to accept. The evidence is the information or data that supports the claim. Sometimes, the claim and the evidence are clear and explicit, but other times, they are hidden, vague, or incomplete. To spot and avoid tricks, you need to ask yourself: What is the claim? What is the evidence? How are they related?
A fallacy is a flaw in the logic or reasoning of an argument which can make it seem convincing, but actually weakens or invalidates it. There are many types of fallacies, such as ad hominem - attacking the person instead of the argument, appeal to authority - citing an expert or source that is not relevant or credible, appeal to emotion - using emotions or feelings to persuade instead of facts or reasons, hasty generalization - making a broad conclusion based on insufficient or biased evidence, slippery slope - assuming that one event will lead to another without showing a causal connection, and straw man - misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's position to make it easier to attack. To spot and avoid fallacies, you must look beyond the surface appearance or rhetoric and evaluate the logic and validity of the argument.
Bias is a preference or inclination that affects your judgment or perspective. Assumptions are beliefs or ideas that you take for granted or accept without evidence. Bias and assumptions can influence how you interpret, select, and present information in an argument. They can also affect how you respond to other arguments that challenge your views. To spot and avoid bias and assumptions, you need to be aware of your own and others' values, interests, and motivations. You also need to check the sources, methods, and quality of the information you use and encounter.
One of the best ways to spot and avoid tricks in arguments is to ask questions and seek clarification. Questions can help you uncover hidden premises, expose gaps in logic, challenge weak evidence, and test the validity of the claim. Clarification can help you understand the meaning, context, and implications of the argument. Asking questions and seeking clarification can also show respect, curiosity, and openness to other perspectives. To ask effective questions and seek clarification, you need to be clear, specific, relevant, and polite.
The ultimate goal of critical thinking is to think for yourself and form your own opinion based on evidence, logic, and ethics. To do this, you need to avoid tricks in arguments that can distort, mislead, or coerce you. You also need to avoid tricks that you might use yourself to justify, rationalize, or confirm your own biases. To think for yourself and form your own opinion, you need to be honest, humble, and responsible. You also need to be willing to change your mind when you encounter new or better information or arguments.
We were born with two ears and one mounth for a reason, so first listen and observe, then ask questions, while maintaining your calm. Listening part is extremely important. Many people are so preoccupied with what they will say that they disregard their opponent and assume his/her point. After listening, there come questions. Give an oponent a chance to respond to be able to dig deeper into their perspective. Apply logic and use facts when arguing a point, and yes A POINT. Focus on one at the time. Don't argue every point just for the pleasure of arguing. If your opponent makes a valid point, agree. Do not turn it into a debate, rather try to find a safe middle and turn it into teamwork.
Do you want to know what is true, or do you want to be “Right”? Pay careful attention to the other person and really listen to what they are saying. Everyone believes what they believe for a reason. They may be wrong, partly right, confused, deceived… and so might you. Are you trying to “Win” an argument, or are you comparing information with another person in an attempt at both of you getting closer to knowing what is true.