Words Poorly Used #65 — Argument
Argument is a badly misunderstood word, usually conflated with quarreling and pissing contests. In its classic sense arguing is when 1 or more people examine facts, logic, probability, and observations to pursue truth. A good argument poses a hypothetical truth, then seeks to support that truth. Whether the hypothesis is supported or not, the truth remains — true, false, or refine the hypothesis. If there are more than 1 person working with an argument, each must share the goal of discovering what the truth is. There may never be a competing goal of declaring a winner. Truth is a fact, not a trophy. If domination is the true purpose of a quarrel, that has nothing to do with argumentation. The only truth that can be discovered in a quarrel is that might makes the false face of right.
kilgore