My personal experience has been only learning the virtues of the dispassionate after losing my cool over and over again. The lessons keep coming. — Paine
It may be germane to point out how the matter of contentious arguments were the bread and butter of Classical Greek culture. One of the central themes in the Republic is how the rude and abusive challenge by Thrasymachus was transformed into the well-reasoned debate of later chapters. A number of Plato's dialogues were brawls peppered liberally with personal insult. That element was recognized as part of the "dialectic" even when criticized as inferior. — Paine
Another influence for me on the subject is Nietzsche saying that one has to be careful about who one bothers to oppose because the effort is also a recognition of their importance. That suggests that there is a balancing point where expressions of contempt cancel the object of defeating an idea. — Paine
Yes.do you feel an obligation to treat someone respectfully in a philosophical discussion? — Pantagruel
Well, one may ask me. Isn't this just a good argument to keep respectful when faced with this subtler trolling. — Bylaw
There is a significant difference between a barroom and a classroom, but even so... incivility in a barroom might earn a punch in the nose. Even between friends, incivility might not be tolerated. There is certainly a place for raucous slash and chop discussion (usually lubricated with beer), as long as everyone accepts the terms of discussion. — BC
I think subtle trolling can be premeditated, especially in heavily moderated forums. But I've noticed the seemingly oxymoronic phrase is now fairly commonplace out there. That said, I mean it as a challenging idea. And why should someone oblivious or sneaky, who can end up torturing someone for pages, be considered less a troll?I'd question your use of 'subtle trolling' as I think the definitive characteristic of trolling is that it is intentional and premeditated. — Pantagruel
Yes.In digital communications, some people assume a tone they wouldn't dream of doing in person. — Pantagruel
Based on some recent intrigues, I'd like to pose the question, do you feel an obligation to treat someone respectfully in a philosophical discussion? — Pantagruel
So yeah, obligation to treat others with respect is a fundamental part of philosophical discussion, otherwise the topic being discussed will never transform into new knowledge, it will just be a debate with fists that only solidifies the different opinions further into deep cognitive bias. — Christoffer
And assuming the goal is truly productive, sharing of ideas, collaborative effort, the new depersonalized modalities may actually be limiting progress rather than enhancing it. Which is why I think focusing on the idea of civil dialogue is a legitimate topos, and not a snoozer. — Pantagruel
An intense debate is more fun, and I love conflict. — Judaka
Context is important here. There is a significant difference between a barroom and a classroom, but even so... incivility in a barroom might earn a punch in the nose. — BC
This thread consist in impotent virtue signalling. — Banno
↪Pantagruel
He is taking aim from the balcony, not rebutting your thesis.
I carry an umbrella in case it rains. — Paine
"John, F**k you!" said Mary. "F**k you too" replied John. The ice cream truck trundled along outside, "F**k you, F**k you, F**k you" it went. I wanted an ice cream. I walked up to the truck, greeted the nice ice cream man and said, "F**k you." He replied with a big smile on his face, "F**k you". I passed a beggar, with an ice cream in my hand, looked at him, "F**ck you!" said he. I, to the beggar, "Fuck you too!" Dropped some coins into his cup!
I walked past some senior citizens im the park, playing chess. They were exchanging words, "Fuck you!" "Fuck you too!" I saw a newspaper stand, looked at the headlines, "FUCK YOU!, FUCK ALL OF YOU!" That's some news. I had to tell my friend. I whipped my phone out, then scrolled through my contacts, Fuck you 1, Fuck you 2, Fuck you 3, that's my friend, Fuck you 3. I dialled his number. He answered. "Hey Fuck you 3, FUCK YOU! FUCK ALL OF YOU!" I screamed, unable to contain my excitement. "Fuck you too!" came the reply. — Flash Fiction and Writing Prompts
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