Is unnecessarily poisoning the well a legitimate argument tactic? — schopenhauer1
At a forum like this, a part (or sometimes most) of one's verbal performance is about performing for an audience, not for the poster one is replying to. So the insults etc. aren't necessarily part of one's argument, just part of one's performance, depending on who one is trying to impress.So if there was no real insult thrown at you personally, is it legitimate to use insults, puts-downs, sneering sarcasm, fake exasperation and the like as part of your argument? — schopenhauer1
A drop of wine in a vat of sewage is still sewage. A drop of sewage in a vat of wine is also sewage — Outlander
The problem is that if you don't want to do it, you either take the abuse or go to their level, both are bad options. — schopenhauer1
I think sometimes it's perfectly acceptable to call a spade a spade. If someone's being stupid then they ought to be told they're being stupid, and sometimes an effective way to get that point across is by shaming them and making them feel bad. It may not always be the nicest thing, and sometimes it could be considered bullying, but I think there are legitimate cases in which it is 100% deserved and what should be done. "That was stupid, and you should feel bad" works when they realize it really was stupid. — darthbarracuda
Cutting remarks are always made to bring a person a few notches down. It is hurtful and always personal. Insults, when done cleverly, can make another listen intently and agree. Other insults are delivered to "win" an ongoing battle of personalities: Consider the following (a well known exchange):I stop when I see an insult, not just because it's usually funny but because it indicates that someone feels very strongly about this particular point, and that perhaps I should examine it more deeply. I think insults are useful in that regard, they aren't always just rhetorical flourish, they direct our attention to important details. — darthbarracuda
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