Arguing Is Good

There is good in arguing, even if it is not persuasion. Here is me riffing-off of "Arguing Is Bullshit" by David Pinsof @everythingisbullshit

“Arguing has little to do with persuasion; it is an agonistic contest of wills and wits. …that is not quite persuasion, and so we may now want to ask: What is persuasion, really? Does it even exist? And if it does, what is it good for?” — From my response to “Arguing Is Bullshit”

1.

Agonistic argument is not without merit. Consider the TikTok lives where those who oppose feminist views are invited to spar with a feminist. (I looked for an example, but the creator I am thinking of doesn’t publish their lives for replay.) This is the purest form of argument, but what is its point?

For one, the feminist is exercising her ability to stand her ground, testing and sharpening her arguments against random opponents. Second, she is doing it on her own turf, which provides a spectacle for her audience, one in which she is in control. She can drop or mute opponents at any time and often uses this power to underscore a point. Of course, she must appear fair so as not to alienate her own audience, often overcompensating by letting someone go on and on. But even this is strategic, as she can appear to be generous with her opponents.

So why would anyone go on such a live? Because they are arrogant and think they can outwit the feminist? They don't care what her audience thinks of them. They, too, are testing their arguments and opinions against hers. Because this happens on a social platform, there is an audience watching. That audience learns how to spar, and they also get to exercise their feelings of disgust toward the interlocutor. From either perspective, each side often feels it has won. And in a way, they have — each gets some form of catharsis. I don’t think anyone comes away from these debates, and there are live TikTok debates on many controversial topics, with a changed mind. Does this improve our society, to be able to air our differences publicly like this? Or does it deepen division? I don’t know, but I do know that agonistic arguments are not about persuasion.