smith
Number of posts: 2
Registration date: 2011-10-19
 | | Subject: Just found this place(well a few days ago) Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:25 pm | |
| Someone on reddit had mentioned UPB so I wanted to look more into it(he used the if you argue rationally you are proving upb line or something like it). Well I did look into it and had quite a few laughs(thanks to this place and a50 dollar bet by a philosophy student).
Is this community still active? Any advice for dealing with a mod of a forum that buys into UPB and RTR?
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Patience
Number of posts: 594
Location: England
Registration date: 2008-08-26
| | Subject: Re: Just found this place(well a few days ago) Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:55 am | |
| | smith wrote: | | Is this community still active? |
Yes, this community is still active. |
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waddleL
Number of posts: 1
Registration date: 2011-11-03
| | Subject: Re: Just found this place(well a few days ago) Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:15 pm | |
| It's unlikely you'll be able to defeat throwaway-o in a debate.
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smith
Number of posts: 2
Registration date: 2011-10-19
| | Subject: Re: Just found this place(well a few days ago) Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:30 am | |
| | waddleL wrote: | It's unlikely you'll be able to defeat throwaway-o in a debate.
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I've stopped reading/posting to reddit but what makes you say that? |
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QuestEon
Number of posts: 842
Registration date: 2008-03-25
| | Subject: Re: Just found this place(well a few days ago) Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:40 am | |
| | smith wrote: | | waddleL wrote: | It's unlikely you'll be able to defeat throwaway-o in a debate.
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I've stopped reading/posting to reddit but what makes you say that? |
Can't speak for waddleL, but in my view most people who enter into a debate with Molyneux are unprepared. Yes, they often have a position they believe in with facts and evidence to support it. They expect to have their reasoning challenged and are ready to defend it. And they assume that, based on their performance, the outcome of the debate will be a general consensus that they "won," "lost," or "tied" (in other words, agreed to disagree).
I say they are unprepared because they are unaware that none of that matters. They are unprepared for Molyneux's approach, which is to win by any means necessary, even if it means engaging in unethical tactics (which he nearly always does). He plans to win even if it means diverting the debate entirely away from the subject at hand into some rabbit hole where he believes he can win.
The subject doesn't matter. Creating a dialogue that illuminates the subject isn't the goal. Only winning matters.
Part of that is simply a result of Molyneux's personality. I believe another part is that Molyneux views himself as perpetually on stage in front of his faithful followers/contributors and he can never let them see him lose.
To defeat Molyneux in a debate, his opponent must not only be prepared to vigorously defend his/her position but also be prepared to counter any one of these disreputable tactics. To my knowledge, no debater who has ever gone against Molyneux has been fully aware of these tactics or able to effectively counter them.
So, when the dust settles, Molyneux declares himself "the winner." Then Molyneux's followers congratulate themselves for having the wisdom to follow a man of unconquerable wisdom. Sometimes his opponents are left with the feeling they has been bamboozled in some way, but they're often not quite sure how. Sometimes they don't realize it at all.
I'm certain there are some very brilliant people who might be able to debate him effectively but, being brilliant, they probably ask themselves why it would be worth the effort. |
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Argent
Number of posts: 514
Registration date: 2010-01-28
| | Subject: Re: Just found this place(well a few days ago) Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:55 pm | |
| QuestEon, while throwaway-o would be an amusing nickname for Stefan, it actually belongs to one RuddODragonFear, aka throwaway-o on reddit. You may remember him from the latest episode of the Noesis saga. Not to take away from your post.  Insightful as always, and still totally on point. |
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QuestEon
Number of posts: 842
Registration date: 2008-03-25
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