Is it really unobjectionable to make a strong attack on a position and refuse to explain why?
It can be justified in certain circumstances. Sometimes I see a terribly wrong argument, but providing a satisfactory counter-argument would require much more time and space than I have available. In such situations, I will sometimes write a reply that the argument is wrong, but proving this would require more effort that I can realistically afford, so that the author should take it on authority and good faith that he needs to reconsider his position (and perhaps do some more learning before he’s competent to tackle the problem constructively).
(This is not meant to imply anything more specific about this concrete dispute—I am merely giving a general answer to the question.)
Is it really unobjectionable to make a strong attack on a position and refuse to explain why?
The strength of the attack should be evaluated according to evidence contained in the attack. If it’s a statement from authority, then not very much evidence, depending on who states what on which topic. Still better than no input, but often not by much.
I would think that if one were not interested in taking part in a debate, one wouldn’t start one.
Is it really unobjectionable to make a strong attack on a position and refuse to explain why?
WrongBot:
It can be justified in certain circumstances. Sometimes I see a terribly wrong argument, but providing a satisfactory counter-argument would require much more time and space than I have available. In such situations, I will sometimes write a reply that the argument is wrong, but proving this would require more effort that I can realistically afford, so that the author should take it on authority and good faith that he needs to reconsider his position (and perhaps do some more learning before he’s competent to tackle the problem constructively).
(This is not meant to imply anything more specific about this concrete dispute—I am merely giving a general answer to the question.)
The strength of the attack should be evaluated according to evidence contained in the attack. If it’s a statement from authority, then not very much evidence, depending on who states what on which topic. Still better than no input, but often not by much.