I talked about my personality type on Monday. Part of what makes me ENTP is the fact that I love a good debate. I actually like debating just to debate. I’ll often play the devil’s advocate and argue for something I don’t even believe.
Does that make me evil? Probably.
But I think because I love a good argument so much, I’ve been able to spot (and even use) a few unfair tactics when it comes to swaying someone to your opinion.
Unfortunately, I’ve begun seeing these unfair tactics becoming the main way people try to convince others of their opinion. Everyone from political candidates to news pundits to social media personalities… They all do it. And it’s unfair.
Let me show you.
1. Compare the opposition to Hitler.
It’s really not that hard to compare anyone’s actions to that of Hitler. He did a lot of stuff. Are you proposing gathering people together in one place? Hitler did that. Do you believe people should have large families? Hitler wanted that.
Just because you can compare someone’s actions to that Hitler’s doesn’t mean your point is valid. Unfortunately, Hitler is the unspeakable evil that seems to shut down every debate. But it’s not a fair argument.
2. Call something a “cancer”.
Cancer’s another one of those taboos that seems to shut down the conversation as soon as its uttered. If you call any action a cancer, it sounds like it must be the worst thing in the world. But calling something a cancer doesn’t mean it is. Don’t fall for the unfair tactic. (Or use it either, please.)
3. Express that your viewpoint is that of Jesus.
My dad always laughs at the WWJD bracelets. “What would Jesus do?! How could we know. His closest friends, the disciples, were always surprised.”
Jesus remained silent about most of the issues we love to debate. So you really can’t claim to know. It’s not fair to use that argument.
4. Make your thought sound quotable.
Just because something’s pithy doesn’t mean it’s true. I feel that way about many of the quotes we like to toss around in church nowadays. It’s a great way to make something memorable, but it doesn’t mean it’s true.
It’s easy to make something up that sounds profound. Doesn’t mean there’s validity contained within the statement.
5. Commandeer a tragedy for your point.
Tragedies are a soupy stew of emotions. There’s very little rationality involved in tragic events. Unfortunately, that makes them the perfect target for rhetoric.
It’s easy to provide “solutions” to tragic events. But nothing ever is so simple. So usually, these tragic events just get used in order to further an agenda. That’s super unfair.
Now you, oh beloved reader, would certainly never use such unfair tactics. I know you better than that. But maybe, just maybe, knowing these nasty devices will help you avoid being swayed by such unfair arguments.
What would you add to the list? What unfair way have you seen people make their points?