Image credit, and more on "The River" by Alessandro Sanna. The journey is the reward. In German, we actually say "der Weg ist das Ziel" - "the way is the goal."
In disputes upon moral or scientific points, ever let your aim be to come at truth, not to conquer your opponent. So you never shall be at a loss in losing the argument, and gaining a new discovery.
Arthur Martine
The source.
Here is what the philosopher Daniel Dennett calls
“the best antidote [for the] tendency to caricature one’s opponent”: a list of rules formulated decades ago by the legendary social psychologist and game theorist Anatol Rapoport, best-known for originating the famous tit-of-tat strategy of game theory. Dennett synthesizes the steps:
How to compose a successful critical commentary:
- You should attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, vividly, and fairly that your target says, “Thanks, I wish I’d thought of putting it that way.
- You should list any points of agreement (especially if they are not matters of general or widespread agreement).
- You should mention anything you have learned from your target.
- Only then are you permitted to say so much as a word of rebuttal or criticism.
... this is actually a sound psychological strategy that accomplishes one key thing: It transforms your opponent into a more receptive audience for your criticism or dissent, which in turn helps advance the discussion.
The source.
While the entire 4 step procedure strikes me as being overly elaborate and virtually impractical, I'd be ecstatic if I managed to live up to point 1.
See also Making the Mistakes as Fast as Possible and An Eye for Freedom.
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