[FONT=&]
Argument for argument's sake is not an attempt to inform another of your point of view or to persuade another of the validity of your argument. Similar to “doing the dozens,” it is an attempt to gain dominance over another by continually countering the other’s arguments with verbal and logical gymnastics to make them appear inferior.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT][FONT=&]If two or more parties enter into an “A for A” situation in the spirit of making it a game, it can be relatively harmless.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Problems can occur, however, if one or more parties attribute his, her, or their personal worth to the ability to “win” the argument by making the opponent(s) appear foolish, incompetent, uninformed, or stupid.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]This may result from Oppositional Defiant Disorder, in which the person takes pleasure from being contrary and causing consternation in as many people as possible.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]So, fellow (and sisterly) INGOer’s, enjoy your repartee, but keep in mind that some may have more at stake than others. If someone seems to need to win at any cost, his or her self-worth may be tied up in the discussion or he or she may suffer from ODD. It may be better to just let him/her win rather than cause him/her pain.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Of course, you cannot expect such consideration from one who needs to dominate others to feel good about him- or her- self, but such is life.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
Argument for argument's sake is not an attempt to inform another of your point of view or to persuade another of the validity of your argument. Similar to “doing the dozens,” it is an attempt to gain dominance over another by continually countering the other’s arguments with verbal and logical gymnastics to make them appear inferior.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT][FONT=&]If two or more parties enter into an “A for A” situation in the spirit of making it a game, it can be relatively harmless.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Problems can occur, however, if one or more parties attribute his, her, or their personal worth to the ability to “win” the argument by making the opponent(s) appear foolish, incompetent, uninformed, or stupid.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]This may result from Oppositional Defiant Disorder, in which the person takes pleasure from being contrary and causing consternation in as many people as possible.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]So, fellow (and sisterly) INGOer’s, enjoy your repartee, but keep in mind that some may have more at stake than others. If someone seems to need to win at any cost, his or her self-worth may be tied up in the discussion or he or she may suffer from ODD. It may be better to just let him/her win rather than cause him/her pain.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Of course, you cannot expect such consideration from one who needs to dominate others to feel good about him- or her- self, but such is life.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]