by NoOneImportant » Sun Sep 15, 2013 2:16 pm
Those who run out of intellectual ammunition always resort to personal vilification when they are empty. Only the inexperienced take the bait.
The approach was appropriate: don't lose focus, ignore the attack, re-focus upon the issue, restate the question and ask for a rational answer. The point of the discussion is the issue under consideration, that is the point in question, not you or him.
The truth is a difficult thing for many to consume, when at a loss to carry on an intellectual argument, rather than assess, or reassess their position they choose to deflect attention from an intellectually untenable position by: "... because I said so..."; or by initiating a deprecating personal attack - which is the same thing bearing camoflage. Always stay on topic; politely ask for an answer to the item under consideration. People do change; at one time before he met Milton Friedman at the University of Chicago, there was no one a more dedicated RED than Thomas Sowell, or even David Horowitz, for that matter. Neither you nor I can change him, but he can change himself if he chooses to earnestly, and honestly reflect upon what he believes.
Those who run out of intellectual ammunition always resort to personal vilification when they are empty. Only the inexperienced take the bait.
The approach was appropriate: don't lose focus, ignore the attack, re-focus upon the issue, restate the question and ask for a rational answer. The point of the discussion is the issue under consideration, that is the point in question, not you or him.
The truth is a difficult thing for many to consume, when at a loss to carry on an intellectual argument, rather than assess, or reassess their position they choose to deflect attention from an intellectually untenable position by: "... because I said so..."; or by initiating a deprecating personal attack - which is the same thing bearing camoflage. Always stay on topic; politely ask for an answer to the item under consideration. People do change; at one time before he met Milton Friedman at the University of Chicago, there was no one a more dedicated RED than Thomas Sowell, or even David Horowitz, for that matter. Neither you nor I can change him, but he can change himself if he chooses to earnestly, and honestly reflect upon what he believes.