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SLAYING THE DEMAGOGUE

Facilitating Fairness in Rules of Argument
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What is a demagogue?

When arguing online, a wild demagogue may appear. What is this monster, you ask?

A demagogue is anyone who reduces all questions to us vs. them. 

 

"Demagoguery is democracy’s greatest threat. It erodes rational debate, so that intelligent policymaking grinds to a halt. The idea that we never fall for it—that all the blame lies with them—is equally dangerous."

- Patricia Roberts-Miller

 

The demagogues in our lives are people we know. They're also people we've never met. They're a random screen name on a forum and they're also our loved ones at dinner. We may find someone we wholeheartedly disagree with, but we avoid demagoguery by disagreeing with respect, an open mind, the ability to listen, and carefully chosen words. The aim of argument shouldn't be about victory, but about progress.

 

So, how do we slay the demagogue in our lives? We argue with fairness.

This means only making arguments you would also accept.

This means acknowledging when you commit logical fallacies and identifying when others commit them. This means not to defend one's opinion, but rather to know it.

 

Read a little bit more about how to facilitate fairness in arguments and explore some of the most common mistakes to make when arguing below. 

 

The internet is a vast place. We wouldn't want you wandering into the Upside Down...

Common Logical Fallacies

But if you were a real feminist, you would–

The lights came on! My son must be safe and totally unharmed!

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