Web Development by Alistair Robinson

I’m argumentative, it’s true. Is that bad? I can’t resist taking a stand, taking sides and making a case. So, in that tradition, in this post I’m going to make a case for argument itself, because I feel it’s under threat. Actually, I feel a rant coming on, rather than a reasoned argument. So be it…

I’ve got into trouble for my argumentative reactions to the statements of others. I might say “nonsense!” or “no, that’s not the way things are at all,” and then I’m criticized for my arrogance. Apparently I should have said “my humble opinion is – and you don’t have to believe it, because it’s just my humble opinion, I mean, what do I know really? and I don’t really like disagreeing with people, but I just want to say – and remember, I’m really not trying to force my opinions down your throat…etc” followed by concluding remarks such as “but that’s just my opinion, nobody is right or wrong here, it’s all just opinions, there’s no such thing as truth, I’m probably talking rubbish…”

In my more unguarded, undignified moments I might be tempted to say that I’ve fucking had it up to here with this shite. There is a timid fear of offending others, as if people are nothing but fragile victims of unwelcome outside influences with no power to fight back. That, to me, is disrespectful. There’s also a presumption that if I attack an idea you subscribe to, I am also attacking you. In response, I often say that if I didn’t respect your opinions and find you interesting, I wouldn’t bother arguing.

And since when did we stop being rational beings who could make a case for something and try to defend it, without taking disagreement personally? I am partly made up of my ideas, but they are always open to change, so they do not define me.

It is superfluous to say “I think…” or “I believe…” or “In my personal opinion…” or “IMHO” instead of just coming out with “this is how it is,” because when someone claims something to be true they are stating a personal opinion anyway, whether they say they are or not. We know that’s what they’re doing, so why should we have to hear them saying so explicitly? Is it because there is a growing suspicion of strong opinions, and an automatic accusation of arrogance? If so – and if this is a widespread reaction to argument – then it threatens the idea that human beings can know the truth. If you state something and you’re not lying, it means that you believe it to be true. The idea so prevalent now, that there is no such thing as truth, or that we cannot know it, must lead to a refusal to state opinions or argue against those of others.

There’s an important point here, one that this timid culture seems to find unpalatable. It is that if you have an opinion, and therefore believe in the truth of a particular assertion, it means that you assume that you have seen the light of the truth, and that all those who hold contrary opinions remain in darkness. In a world in which we can’t say anything is better than anything else, this kind of thing makes people uncomfortable.

But it’s also important to remember that you can hold strong opinions, really believing that everyone else is wrong, and yet not wish to somehow impose those opinions on anyone, because there is always the chance that you may be wrong. It is only absolute certainty that leads to arrogance and thence to the wish to impose those ideas on others.

How does one impose an opinion on somebody? It is by means of oppression, imperialism, authoritarian rule, violence and intimidation. The truly arrogant feel no need to justify their ideas with an argument: they force you to submit to them.

A world in which people stop standing up for what they believe in is not one I want to live in, so I for one am happy to go on making people uncomfortable.

Tags: arguing, argument, debate, logic
Posted in culture, humour, ideas | 5 Comments »