Learn how to argue: "Stretch the argument"

Learn to argue: "Stretch the argument"

The way we discuss can create or resolve a conflict, this is a specific way of communication, of speaking and listening.

Any disagreement deserves a due debate. When different points of view are integrated, we can see the diversity of aspects related to an issue.

While the debate does not take place, the division continues, and this can lead to polarizations, confrontations and aggression.

Why we discuss:

A) To be right.

B) To understand what is right.

"Stretching the argument", “To be right."

In a discussion, arguments are presented in favour of an opinion about an issue or fact.

When you want “to be right" we can fall into the case of "stretching the argument"

Def //: To force a logical criteria in a category or case that does not apply.

We use a valid argument in an attempt to validate a situation or case.

Let's see it in different examples, the argument will always be the same, but the cases will change, that is, the same opinion on different issues or facts:

"My body, my decision"

Case 1: -I will smoke and consume alcohol and recreational drugs.

Does the argument apply?

Does that decision prevail in case of alcoholism or addiction?

Case 2: -I will not perform a medical treatment, a terminal patient.

Does the argument apply?

Who decides for your life or quality of life? Does anyone else have the right to decide on this?

Case 3: A 6-year-old boy wants to get his whole face tattooed with his favourite superhero.

Does the argument apply?

Who is affected by the decision, should someone intercede to prevent a possible regret?

Case 4: An adult regarding how to dress.

Does the argument apply?

Are there any limits in the public or private sphere? It is certainly not the same to be naked on a nude beach than to be naked at the office.

Case 5: -I identify myself with a person that weighs 30 pounds, I am going to vomit the food I eat.

Does the argument apply?

Who is affected by the decision, is bulimia an eating disorder?

Case 6: -I will abort.

Does the argument apply?

There is a body growing inside another body, and that decision ends with the other body.

What decision does the other body have?

Conclusion:

Sometimes an argument applies only to a certain situation or case, other times a single argument is not enough to analyse the issue, and more arguments are needed to be added to analyse the case.

Other times the argument only partially applies to the case, for example in case 5, in which that choice that affects another body.

When we want to be right, we will only observe the part of the argument that serves to us.

When we want to understand what is right, we see the multiple implications and interests aligned and misaligned.

Society has several open debates that divide it, the way that we discuss create or resolve our conflicts.

Each parts involved has interests at stake, as long as only dual logic applies, we will argue “to be right".

If we want to solve the problems of our society, we need healthy debates, to understand the situation in question and with intelligence create solutions.

Manuel Carral

Bonus track: From what logic have you read the cases? Were you able to analyse them without falling into attacking or defending them based on your previous opinions? Have you discover any case in which you been stretching the argument?