Discussions
Thank you for requesting to have a discussion with me about a topic. Discussions are a dialog with people in which the participants are willing to alter their position if it makes sense to do so. Sometimes people confuse "discussion" with "sermon" or "lecture". These non-discussions are a waste of time since all parties are intractable in their existing views.
So that our time is not wasted please use this guide to determine if we can have a discussion on this topic.
1. Can you envision anything that will change your mind on this topic? If no, go to 5
2. If one of your arguments can be found to be faulty will you stop using that argument (with everyone)? if no go to 5
3. Are you prepared to abide by basic principles of reason? if not go to 5
Example 1: The position that more reasonable and has more supporting evidence should be accepted to be true
Example 2: The person asserting a position bears the onus of demonstrating it's truth
4. Congrats, we can have a discussion, go to 6
5. This is not a discussion, I do not want to talk to you about it.
6. I will talk to you about the topic as long as you follow these rules:
a. do not introduce new arguments while another argument has yet to be resolved
b. do not move onto another argument if it has been shown a fact you have relied upon has been proven to be inaccurate
c. provide valid evidence for your position or argument
d. do not argue that you do not "need" evidance
7. If you did not follow the above rules you CHEATED the discussion is terminated
a. you are deemed to have conceded all opposing arguments up to this point
b. you forfeit all right to complain about the discussion
8. Congratulations this is how rational human beings exchange ideas.
bonus points if you avoid using Logical Fallacies in your argument
So that our time is not wasted please use this guide to determine if we can have a discussion on this topic.
1. Can you envision anything that will change your mind on this topic? If no, go to 5
2. If one of your arguments can be found to be faulty will you stop using that argument (with everyone)? if no go to 5
3. Are you prepared to abide by basic principles of reason? if not go to 5
Example 1: The position that more reasonable and has more supporting evidence should be accepted to be true
Example 2: The person asserting a position bears the onus of demonstrating it's truth
4. Congrats, we can have a discussion, go to 6
5. This is not a discussion, I do not want to talk to you about it.
6. I will talk to you about the topic as long as you follow these rules:
a. do not introduce new arguments while another argument has yet to be resolved
b. do not move onto another argument if it has been shown a fact you have relied upon has been proven to be inaccurate
c. provide valid evidence for your position or argument
d. do not argue that you do not "need" evidance
7. If you did not follow the above rules you CHEATED the discussion is terminated
a. you are deemed to have conceded all opposing arguments up to this point
b. you forfeit all right to complain about the discussion
8. Congratulations this is how rational human beings exchange ideas.
bonus points if you avoid using Logical Fallacies in your argument