Comments for What's Wrong with Being Absolutely Right? at http://mnatheists.org , comment 1 to 1 out of 1 comments http://mnatheists.org Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:49:26 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://mnatheists.org/content/view/387/88/#comment-484 while opinions, and even certain facts, can be disputed, many facts simply cannot (e.g. the sky is blue, 2+2=4, etc.). My experience is that if someone is heckling you, you treat them like a heckler and smack them down as quickly as possible, so that you can get back to honest and open debate. so in some sense, to deal with dogmatic people, one must often appear dogmatic in terms of assertiveness and harshness, but by doing so, it in no way impunes your character or weakens your argument. it is OKAY to be frustrated when arguing with someone about the existence of santa clause, AND to tell them how wrong they are. the weak-minded and the people who are just plain wrong need to be told so REPEATEDLY so that they know where they stand, and do not inflate their own position in society. In essence, to value courtesy over truth in a debate, especially when the other party is beholden to neither, does a disservice to the truth. A flexible mind can defend a position fiercely and not appear closed-minded, because evidence over time of acceptance to new ideas is the barometer of an open-mind, not debate tactics or level of passion in defense of a single idea. - Ric Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:01:38 +0100