(November 20, 2017 at 3:59 pm)Hammy Wrote: I am not so sure . . . people can feel they lost a debate but I think that's different from actually changing your mind or being able to see where your own logic is wrong. If you're capable of seeing your logical argument is invalid why would you make it in the first place? And if you made it dishonestly then you didn't even believe your argument was valid in the first place, you were using a fallacious argument on purpose to try and win a debate and you only admitted you were wrong when it became clear to your opponent that your argument was fallacious. If someone isn't logical enough to see their argument is fallacious then how can they be shown that it's fallacious?
It has been said that people who haven't been reasoned into a position cannot be reasoned out it.
Seems to me that people that are emotionally convinced of something fit this bill. Particularly believers, who, "feel" Jesus in their hearts. Problem with that is that no amount of emotional conviction is gonna prove that Jesus is real or that their feelings are even justified; I'm thinking here that it is religiously inspired delusion, which I know all too well as an apostate.
In fact, I think emotions are patently false way to acquire any kind of insight. Sure, touchy-feely emotions might go a long way to convince someone of something, but I think it, like in the opposite strand - irrational fear - proves nothing.
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool." - Richard P. Feynman
