I was in a discussion with a man at a yoga studio after he overheard me telling someone that Bikram’s Yoga was “kind of cultish”.
He proceeded to make one illogical argument after another, and then smiling and laughing confidently as though in triumph after each one. When I shot down what he said or explained how he misunderstood a comparison, he would not acknowledge or think about what I said, but simply move on to the next “winning comment” that he wanted to say. He thought he was superior for having made his points even though my replies reduced them to nothing.
I think this qualifies as logical rudeness, though I didn’t have a word for it at the time. I really don’t understand people like this. I think it’s kind of a contest for him, to just try and look confident while making the barest amount of sense to make a passable argument. I think it’s the jock equivalent of scoring a goal or beating someone up, as opposed to a discussion that actually is supposed to improve the total knowledge of both parties.
This happens so often that it’s probably best to call people on it. Politely, of course. Ask them ever so sweetly if they agree with your refutation of what they just said, and do not let them continue on to the next argument until they at least acknowledge that you’ve said something.
This way you can stop bad reasoning and make them feel bad for it, instead of getting pissed at you. Hopefully.
I was in a discussion with a man at a yoga studio after he overheard me telling someone that Bikram’s Yoga was “kind of cultish”.
He proceeded to make one illogical argument after another, and then smiling and laughing confidently as though in triumph after each one. When I shot down what he said or explained how he misunderstood a comparison, he would not acknowledge or think about what I said, but simply move on to the next “winning comment” that he wanted to say. He thought he was superior for having made his points even though my replies reduced them to nothing.
I think this qualifies as logical rudeness, though I didn’t have a word for it at the time. I really don’t understand people like this. I think it’s kind of a contest for him, to just try and look confident while making the barest amount of sense to make a passable argument. I think it’s the jock equivalent of scoring a goal or beating someone up, as opposed to a discussion that actually is supposed to improve the total knowledge of both parties.
This happens so often that it’s probably best to call people on it. Politely, of course. Ask them ever so sweetly if they agree with your refutation of what they just said, and do not let them continue on to the next argument until they at least acknowledge that you’ve said something.
This way you can stop bad reasoning and make them feel bad for it, instead of getting pissed at you. Hopefully.