Because if I win an argument, but lose a friend, what have I really won?
A good argument could open the awareness of your friend, what can change his perspective or point of view or state of mind.
You will win nothing but gain a new improved friend, like it's an upgrade.
He gained more knowledge!!
Or he cant accept the argument, because he don't see it like a good argument.
And then you might lose a friend.
That wound mean that he was never a friend, that only means that he/she don't understand yet how to see the truth of your argument.
Unfortunately that is for many enough to break a friendship, while this exactly prove that the angry friend just need more knowledge about what a good or bad argument really is.
How do you take your arguments: hot or cold?
The first thing I do is breath, IL take a few big breaths and then Il focus on the argument.
The next thing I do is focus on if the argument is legit, if yes then IL look if the person is right or correct with his argument.
Il have to see some evidence of his argument and .....If the person is right, then Il accept it as the truth.
you know there are ethics to belief?
MUST we accept anything in the face of fact?
SHOULD we?
Important questions, knowledge and upgraded views are not necessary friends all the time:)
Thank you for the comment
Only if you verified it with evidence, then il accept it as a fact and then i can see it as a new truth.
The most common problem is , many people never learn how to go in dialog with each other or how to make discussions.
Many people use non arguments to make a point, because that is what they had learned from others.
Or they do that on purpose to mislead others.
Or they dont know what a fallacy is, and there for dont know how to reconize one or how to protect themself against one.
There for the first thing i do is, find out if it's a real argument or not.
And if yes, then il search for the source to find out if the argument is legit.
Or il dismiss the argument with another argument build up with a source.
This is what i do with everyone, and i must confess not many people accept that.
Some get angry or walk away.
There are not many people around who will say, yes you are right ...I searched for the evidence of your argument and i found it right here... you are correct mister.
So from the 100 people, maybe 5 said something like that.
And i debated with many believers or non believers.
And you welcome, i like your post so i had to said something :)
And you welcome, i like your post so i had to said something :)