For the smart people, a question...

[Maddy]

... I am really trying to learn arguement styles; not that I necessarily would be able to use them (I'm just not that quick, to be quite honest). I found this website: http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/skep ... ments.html and am trying to figure out what kind of arguement style it is when someone, for example, apologises backhandedly ("I'm sorry, but you did this that and the other thing"). I can't figure it out for the life of me. Help? Thanks in advance!

Edit: I should add that the "but" is the part I'm thinking about because it disqualifies the first part of the sentence.

[Maddy]

Arguement of Digression?

[beeline]

I would love to answer this post. I really would. I am however, not a 'smart' person. Just terribley average.

[Maddy]

LOL I consider most people here a lot smarter than I am! You included!

[beeline]

Thanks I actually 'tested well' in grade school and so forth. But it's like being a midget on the basketball team around this place. If you know what I mean.

[Nordic]

Is this like when your wife starts a conversation with "Honey, I love you BUT ....."

That shit will wake you right up.

[IanEye]

"If you ask a question or series of questions in which your prospect can readily agree, then ask a concluding question based on those agreements, you will receive a desirable response."

[Maddy]

Is this like when your wife starts a conversation with "Honey, I love you BUT ....."

Pretty much! Yes! Where the "but" invalidates everything said ahead of it!

I don't think its Socratic arguement. It's meant to instigate negative communication, and generally used by people to turn the initial comment around on to the recipient. There has got to be a term for this!

[IanEye]

It's meant to instigate negative communication, and generally used by people to turn the initial comment around on to the recipient. There has got to be a term for this!

[Maddy]

LOL Pretty much!

[beeline]

I deferred to an authority, professor of English:

"Depending on the details, this sounds like argument by dismissal—x cannot be true because y and z disqualify x from consideration…hope this helps… "

[Maddy]

Wonderful! Thank you! Now the next time people pull that on me I can at least sound like I'm smart and tell them why that is a bad arguement!

[Peregrine]

Heh, gal, don't short change yourself like that. From your posts, you definitely don't come across as not having smarts. I tend to not do too well when it comes to arguments & I get a little tounge tied, but don't think myself any less smart because of that by any means.

I know I've brought it up before, but I find Marshall Rosenberg's material a good source, I like how his methods are great for diffusing heated arguments. In theory it's great, in practice, whole other story I find, for myself, at least. I can be such a hot head.

[beeline]

You're welcome I'll pass along the thanks.

Arguments like that are why I smoke weed. A lot of weed. Keeps me sane. Honestly, now I just stay away from them, especially when it's RI type stuff. Saves me huge headaches.

And I'm with Peregrine--you are probably a lot smarter than you think you are. I'm actually kind of smart, but it took me a long time to realize it--like when I was 30.

[Maddy]

Peregrine! That's exactly what happens to me! I just get so feeling that nothing logical can come out. Or something. I can feel responses, but I can't make them make sense. And I get flustered.

But anyhow, thank you both! {{{Hugs}}}

Edited for omg typo! Feel has an L in it!