There is a major difference between feeling what someone else feels (emotional empathy) and understanding how someone else thinks (cognitive empathy). In a debate, you don't need to agree with your opponent’s emotions, but you must understand their mental roadmap. Most people argue against a "caricature&...
In a heated argument, it’s incredibly tempting to stop attacking the idea and start attacking the person. When we feel cornered, our brains reach for the "Ad Hominem" fallacy—a Latin phrase meaning "to the person." This happens when someone tries to discredit an argument...
Most debates aren't a simple choice between "right" and "wrong." Often, both sides have valid points. You win by performing Impact Calculus: weighing which valid point matters more. Real-World Example: The "Family Vacation" Debate You want to go on a high-adventure hiking...
In any argument, there is a "default" position. If you walk up to someone and claim that Bigfoot is living in your basement, the other person doesn't have to prove he isn’t there. The responsibility to provide evidence lies entirely with you. This is known...
You may be familiar with the "Strawman" fallacy—taking an opponent's argument, oversimplifying it into something weak or ridiculous, and then knocking it down. While it might make you feel superior, it rarely persuades anyone who doesn't already agree with you. If you want...
In the heat of a political or personal debate, our instinct is to draw a line in the sand. We look for everything we disagree with in the other person's statement. However, the most persuasive people in the world—from hostage negotiators to top-tier debaters—do the opposite....
