In disputes, truth is born … and low self-esteem among losers. There is no 100% method of absolute victory in disputes, debates and debates. In a fundamentally scientific dispute, one is right whose argument is more convincing, but it often happens that the dispute does not imply establishing the fact necessary for science, but is conducted for the sake of entertainment, in the wake of excitement, for the sake of a bright victory over the interlocutor and his supporters. In such cases, fairly simple tricks will help.
Instruction manual
one
Believe in your rightness. The key to victory in a dispute is confidence in one's own position. Of course, there are irrational outlooks on life (for example, nationalism or devotion to football teams), which are supported only by subjective assessments and a categorical rejection of alternative ideas. With such initial disputes, conflict most often implies a conflict. If mutual shouting is not planned, consider your credo. How well are you familiar with the subject of the dispute? Are you ready to adjust evidence-based tools in a timely manner? And if it turns out that the enemy is better prepared, do you have enough time, desire and strength to search for new arguments? Start arguing only with maximum “combat readiness”.
2
Lean on a support group. The presence of fans, advisers and sympathizers with similar views is very important for victory. They may be present in the dispute in person or be implied equally for both parties when the dispute is tête-à-tête. The team will support, help, show, give a sense of elbow, cheer up, catch up with fear on the opponent. However, it is important to remember that argumentation with reference to the masses, like "This is a well-known fact …" or "This is understandable to everyone …" is unconvincing.
3
Listen and let's speak to the opponent. As your adversary speaks, he loses strength. But you, on the contrary, have additional time to gather your thoughts and look at the vulnerabilities in his argument. The ability to listen, and listen carefully, not only helps to navigate and respond quickly to the opponent’s moves, but also relaxes him. The sensitive listener gives the impression of a person who is ready to agree. But you know when to make the main throw!
4
Act the other way around and seize the initiative. Does your opponent raise his voice? - Do not urge him to change his tone, speak quieter and calmer yourself. Uses swear words? - Remain emphasized polite and correct. Whispers that your intonations seemed defiant, and did any line look like an attempt to interrupt? - Shut up and let him speak out, then, having gathered all his composure, continue to defend your position. Controlled dissimilarity drives opponents out of himself, as a person, convincing, subconsciously focuses on emotional responses. The absence of such responses means that persuasion fails and creates confusion.
5
Offer compromises. Not willing to compromise, the party to the dispute is a loser candidate. The timely proposed "middle solution" allows you to look at the dispute and the disputants from the side, take a break and either adequately end the debate or leave the battlefield painlessly. It is important to remember that compromises are not always mutually beneficial. It happens that in the eyes of an outside observer loses who has agreed to a draw.
6
View the subject of the dispute from different angles. Verification of algebra by harmony or geometry by botany helps build your own system of original evidence. The opponent, however, may not only be not ready for a comprehensive discussion of the topic, but also simply do not understand any area of knowledge the way you understand it. Winning is easier by moving the polemic into a channel that is convenient for you.
7
Joke! Timely used aphorism, play on words, funny quotes will help reduce the degree of tension in the dispute, and also (see steps 2 and 6) attract supporters and change the direction of the dispute.
eight
Remember where you started. If you fix on paper or any dispute lasting more than 3-5 minutes, it will be easy to notice that the participants deviated significantly from the initial settings. By returning the opponent to the starting positions, you can completely confuse him, confuse him, justifiably point out that his belief system was only an escape from evidence and, as a result, win.
note
Opponents hardened in disputes, even with a weak argumentative base, are able to win with the help of polemical tricks. Be always prepared for the fact that your opponent will become personal, arrange a provocation, hang a label or use other dishonest tricks. Stop any attempt to evade evidence.
Useful advice
Since the dispute is a conflict of interest, remember the "third rule of Gleb Zheglov": find a topic that is close and interesting to the opponent. Having figured out why a person has taken exactly that, and not a different position, you will recognize his weak points. A person who argues that shrubs clean the air better than trees can very well maintain his position only because he is small in stature.
- Theory and practice of controversy
- Eristic
- Wikipedia on demagoguery