Let’s suppose that lots of people agree on the objective truth, such as the earth being round, and some wackos don’t.
Some wackos are complete wackos, in the sense that you should keep an eye on them at all times and make sure you’re never alone with them unless you’re prepared to defend yourself. Others have a crazy belief or two while being astonishingly functional in all other aspects of their behavior; my understanding is that this is a thing that happens and isn’t even rare.
Discussion with the first kind of wacko is dangerous. Discussion with the second kind of wacko about the issue they’re wrong about may or may not be helpful; discussion about other things, like organizing a party, may be helpful and good; such a person could even become a friend as you gain confidence in their functionality outside the one issue. Discussion that lets you find out which kind of wacko a person is (and whether they’re a wacko) is useful.
Let’s suppose that lots of people agree on the objective truth, such as the earth being round, and some wackos don’t.
Some wackos are complete wackos, in the sense that you should keep an eye on them at all times and make sure you’re never alone with them unless you’re prepared to defend yourself. Others have a crazy belief or two while being astonishingly functional in all other aspects of their behavior; my understanding is that this is a thing that happens and isn’t even rare.
Discussion with the first kind of wacko is dangerous. Discussion with the second kind of wacko about the issue they’re wrong about may or may not be helpful; discussion about other things, like organizing a party, may be helpful and good; such a person could even become a friend as you gain confidence in their functionality outside the one issue. Discussion that lets you find out which kind of wacko a person is (and whether they’re a wacko) is useful.
After some reading, I found a post Scott wrote. I think this is the answer I needed, pretty much similar to your answer. Thanks!