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When is insulting people justified in a debate?

By that I mean calling someone an idiot or implying that they are.
It may not be constructive, it is mostly counter productive, but sometimes you can't help being a bit personal. When I realise someone is not genuinely interested in debating, I tend to just walk away.
Flenflyys · 31-35, F
In an actual debate, never. Online with anonymous idiots, often.
Coppercoil · M
@Flenflyys so low brow my aristocratic friend 🙀
Flenflyys · 31-35, F
@Coppercoil fuck off idiot 🤣
Coppercoil · M
@Flenflyys 😹
Lizabee · F
When they are being fucking morons 😊
room101 · 51-55, M
@Lizabee 😂😂😂
Coppercoil · M
@Lizabee🙀
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
You clearly don't have the knowledge nor skills of debate once it's got to that stage.
Game over.
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
@Burnley123 I've come to the conclusion that some folk are just 'conditioned' to be trolls on certain subjects.
They may not even realize it. But they are committed to their untruths and nothing will sway them.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@Picklebobble2 I've had that. I was told by someone that the footage of Tommy Robinson was faked. When I told them he filmed himself, they said someone could still have doctored it. When I said the company he worked for put it online, they. called be a Libtard. 😜

Yesterday I witnessed someone actually argue that mean average was an invention of the alt left media.

The debate started because source he had quoted was misrepresenting averages. When called out on this he doubled down on it with the first conspiracy he could think of and boy was it bad. The people he was debating did call him an idiot (which I kind of think is justified in this case) and then he threatened to shoot both of them.

That is why I think that in [i]some[/i] cases, insulting people is fair.
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
@Burnley123 Can't argue with that !

If people are opinionated, that's one thing. You can always change an opinion !
But stupidity it seems is permenent.
Never. It's a huge personal defeat. And a forfeit of the debate.
@Burnley123 well. dignaga the indian logician who created buddhist epistemology said that one can only debate with a person who is "sane". by that he meant a person able and willing to change their views when proven wrong.

that sort of leaves 90% of "debates" these days as something less.

so sure. if one is pointing out a cognitive deficit that is not an ad hominem. but that is probably far from a productive debate. best to blow it up and go home.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@Lizabee I love the way you just implied I fuck off. It makes me feel better.
Lizabee · F
@Burnley123 glad to help 🤗
As soon as someone insults someone it’s not a debate anymore it’s an argument :o debates are about topics, not the people doing the discussion.
Northwest · M
It's really hard to keep it together, every once in a while, I slip when deal with a total idiot.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@Northwest I know who you are referring too and I really can't blame you for that one.

🤦🤣
SmartKat · 56-60, F
IMHO, it’s sometimes justified when the person refuses to debate seriously or give thoughtful answers. Justified, but not a good idea; it just pours gasoline on the fire.

I usually handle the situation by saying something like, “I still disagree with you, but I’m done with this conversation.” That ends the conversation, without giving the mistaken impression that they won the argument.
Primnproper · 56-60, F
I don't think there is any need for name calling it should be about facts as that's what s important not belittling the opposition..
Primnproper · 56-60, F
@Burnley123 no, I may get sarcastic to what they say but I wouldn't attack them personally..it's just not appropriate.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@Primnproper So if someone calls you a Libtard, implying that they are stupid is wrong? It's an extreme example but it does happen in here.
Primnproper · 56-60, F
@Burnley123 it's name calling and people just can't touch me with name calling, it runs like water off a ducks back to me ...they do that for a response so why give it to them.
defamation of character is the last cry of somebody with no argument. If you're right in your debate then calling someone an idiot is just going to entice them further not to listen to what you have to say.
fazer1k · 56-60, M
It isn't justified. It just means those insulting are short on facts and logical argument.
In an actual debate where [b]facts[/b] matter, you mean ? It's considered bad form. In an [b]argument[/b] however, which is pretty much a free for all, all bets are off.
BitterSweetPotato · 31-35, F
I don't think it is ever justifiable but some people are ignorant to a great extent and by great I really mean to a level that makes you go like wow are they actually saying these words! I think in such case you can't help it because you feel that you can't logically deal or talk with them!
SatanBurger · 36-40, F
I insult if they insult me first, usually I try not to unless they come on strong. I know people tell me that eye for eye is bad and all that biblical nonsense but I don't care for popular advice, you know me 🤷😆
Keraunos · 36-40, M
No one ever needs to "justify" doing that, but it's almost unheard of for someone to do it to any effect aside from showing themselves to be precisely what they just accused the other person of being.
The truly gifted debaters use civil language and never insult. Those are the most fine ones.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
It’s the sign of a lazy mind.
ryoshi0915 · 26-30, F
Nah. Argumentum ad hominem.
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
It only real justification is when you know yourself that you have lost the debate on the facts and cant support them. Then and only then do you need to make it personal and start calling names. Look at which side sticks to the facts and you have the winner.
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room101 · 51-55, M
@Burnley123 Debate, for me, is not just about persuasion. It's also about an exchange of ideas. But, when dealing with some, there is no exchange and there is certainly no persuasion.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@room101 @LvChris I can agree with all that.
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Coppercoil · M
It's not helpful.. but it's hard to resist, thus the situation we often find ourselves in.
SW-User
Never...just something to do when you can't make a valid point
BlueRain · F
Never. No need for insults. It’s ok to disagree.
It's never justified in a debate
@Burnley123 there are many animals on SW
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@InOtterWords and what animal would I be?
@Burnley123 lemur would be a good one
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Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@RogueLoner Are you not insulting and generalising right there? I'm not a Liberal but not all liberals do that.

 
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