OrphanWilde’s assertion was mostly meaningless and given without substantiation/clarification
I agree.
your reply engaged it on object level instead of pointing that out (or silently downvoting), sustaining a flawed mode of discussion.
Can you elaborate what you mean by ‘object level’?
Also, I am kind of perplexed here—you don’t approve of my deciding to react to a seemingly vague statement, which was made with the intent of getting OrphanWilde to perhaps clarify himself? I realize that I phrased my reply badly, starting with a negation was counter productive, but still.
Let me clarify here, I do not care so much about the down vote, as much as I do about being engaged in a conversation.
Can you elaborate what you mean by ‘object level’?
Someone asserts a confused statement whose meaning is unclear. An example of an “object level” response it to make up an interpretation for that statement with a particular meaning, and immediately engage that interpretation (for example, by giving an argument for modifying some of its details).
This has two immediate problems. First, the interpretation that you’ve made up isn’t necessarily the intended one, and in fact no clear intended interpretation may exist, in the sense that the original statement wasn’t constructed to communicate a clear idea, but was to a significant extent a confabulation. This may result in talking past each other, thinking of different things, and in simple cases may lead to an argument about definitions. Second, the fact that the original statement was confusing is itself significant and worthy of attention. It may mean that you lack knowledge of context or training necessary to interpret it, or that the person making the statement needs to improve their communication effort or skills, or that they need to think more carefully to make sure that there is an actual idea that is being described. These problems have little to do with the topic of discussion, hence “not object level”.
(Even worse, an “object level response” may itself fail to reflect on any particular idea.)
On the other hand, asking for clarification or accusing the other party of talking confused nonsense bring their own problems.
I generally reply on the object level, but note that I’m unsure if I parsed their statement correctly, so they can clarify in their next comment if I misinterpreted.
I agree.
Can you elaborate what you mean by ‘object level’?
Also, I am kind of perplexed here—you don’t approve of my deciding to react to a seemingly vague statement, which was made with the intent of getting OrphanWilde to perhaps clarify himself? I realize that I phrased my reply badly, starting with a negation was counter productive, but still.
Let me clarify here, I do not care so much about the down vote, as much as I do about being engaged in a conversation.
Someone asserts a confused statement whose meaning is unclear. An example of an “object level” response it to make up an interpretation for that statement with a particular meaning, and immediately engage that interpretation (for example, by giving an argument for modifying some of its details).
This has two immediate problems. First, the interpretation that you’ve made up isn’t necessarily the intended one, and in fact no clear intended interpretation may exist, in the sense that the original statement wasn’t constructed to communicate a clear idea, but was to a significant extent a confabulation. This may result in talking past each other, thinking of different things, and in simple cases may lead to an argument about definitions. Second, the fact that the original statement was confusing is itself significant and worthy of attention. It may mean that you lack knowledge of context or training necessary to interpret it, or that the person making the statement needs to improve their communication effort or skills, or that they need to think more carefully to make sure that there is an actual idea that is being described. These problems have little to do with the topic of discussion, hence “not object level”.
(Even worse, an “object level response” may itself fail to reflect on any particular idea.)
On the other hand, asking for clarification or accusing the other party of talking confused nonsense bring their own problems.
I generally reply on the object level, but note that I’m unsure if I parsed their statement correctly, so they can clarify in their next comment if I misinterpreted.