In person or online. Most entertaining thing to argue about? What gets you the most heated?
Arguing is not contradicting everything I say.
Yes it is.
Stop that.
Who’s arguing? I came in here for a disagreement!
No you didn’t!
He absolutely did!
Context for the uninitiated:
No it isn’t!
No he didn’t!
He did!
What is wrong with you, why would you come onto the internet specifically looking for a disagreement? That’s so idiotic you’re worse than james madison and gorson ramsay COMBINED. I hope your favorite pants turn green
Hypothetically, yes. Practically, no. Arguing is fun and engaging when you have a sparring partner who is sharp, engaged, and persuadable. If changing someone’s mind isn’t on the table, or if all you’re capable of doing is poorly repeating memes and headlines you’ve seen, I’m not interested.
Exactly. Presenting arguments in good faith with people who are willing to accept objective views and valid factual information can be thrilling and present opportunity to learn about your own belief systems.
In practice, though, it is such a rare occurrence that you are mostly just better off banging your head against a wall.
No
Yes?
No
Have you considered yes?
Arguments are fun when they’re just civilized disagreements about inconsequential things. Like, architectural decisions at work are always interesting cause you may learn a thing or two and it doesn’t matter if you don’t convince others, it’s not your product. Actual heated arguments, I tend to stay away from.
No, I hate it. I find conflict repulsing. I wish people agreed on everything. But we don’t live in a perfect world, so I still argue.
When I can argue with someone rational who is willing to change their mind or has a reason for disagreeing with my or the foundations of my argument such that they can explain where I’ve made a mistake, I like arguing.
It’s even fun when you argue with rational people about irrational things for the fun of just pushing the limits of understanding. Like trying to debate ontological nihilism purely for the pain of trying to understand it.
However, I do not like arguing with people who are irrational, because there’s no point, and I know it, but I really feel like maybe if I just said something right they’d start believing in evidence.
It is also just very difficult to explain certain things to people who don’t understand the foundations of your reasoning.
There’s a saying that to a mathematician there are only two kinds of problems: impossible and trivial. When you’ve thought a lot about something, many foundational concepts seem trivial to you but not to outsiders. It’s very difficult to branch this gap in knowledge.
For example I had an argument about how the undecidability of the busy beaver numbers seem to disprove solipsism because something had to do the work to find them but it wasn’t me, so something other than me must exist for those few numbers we’ve calculated so far to be at my fingertips.
This argument means nothing to people who don’t know what undecidability means, and it is incredibly difficult (for me at least) to try and defend that proving something is “undecidable” in the first place is even possible to someone who’s never seen/done a formal math proof.
Not really. I can enjoy a debate, IF the other person is doing so in good faith. Challenging, enlightening discussions are always welcome!
Generally speaking, if one of us can’t “agree to disagree” and happily change the subject, then it won’t be a good time.
I disagree to agree to your point. /S
No but I do enjoy having conversations about topics I disagree with someone on. When things turn hostile, which I do associate with an argument, it’s just not worth it.
I used to, when I used to believe people could change their minds in response to a good argument. Now that I realise no one ever changes their mind because of an argument, I no longer enjoy it. Now I mostly see it as a self reinforcing public display of affiliation
I’d say it is very unlikely someone will change their mind because of an argument. But it is likely that someone will change their mind after several arguments, and some reflection. It may take years. This person may not see things the same way you do once they change, but they may change some of their views.
People do change their mind over time, but not from repeated exposure to arguments. That tends to have the opposite effect, and causes people to consolidate and solidify their position.
What gets them to change the opinion is varied, but it’s rarely “lots of arguments”
I’m not saying someone changes solely because of lots of arguments. Or repeated exposure, which I agree, are more likely to cement a position if they are essentially the same argument over and over. But arguments in general add to whatever experiences eventually change someone’s mind. Just another factor.
Typically, no. Not in person and not online. However, winning an argument - in particular one that brings fairness or justice as a consequence - feels very rewarding. But I still don’t enjoy the actual arguing part.
Discussing different points of view though, I don’t always consider this arguing. As long as it remains an exchange, it is pleasant. If I have to attack and defend something personal, then no.
Only if it’s about something that ultimately doesn’t matter, if shit gets too serious I don’t enjoy it
I really don’t. No-one argues to convince anyone, just to state their own opinions louder.
I totally disagree! /s
You have developed a very sad view of the world.
You know what? You’re right.
I enjoy it when I find out I was wrong. That moment of “oh shit!?” is awesome.
I also really enjoy arguing pedantically over fictional worlds.
Same
