You probably know this from your own experience or from following any kind of debates or discussions on the Internet. The thing is, no matter how strong the initial argument is, it can be very easily overturned. Even if you have tried to predict all the objections and contradictions, after you have made your point rock-solid, there is always a possibility that someone’s argument will leave you completely kicked off. Often, it does not mean you were all the way wrong. Sometimes, it’s the maneuver your opponents use when they have one thing in mind — to win at any cost. So, beware of the following sophisms when defending your own argument.
- The most common reason why you are about to lose the debate is when your opponent shifts the focus of your argument. Your adversary might try to avert the entire conversation from your point just to prove you wrong. You might get a feeling that he or she did not hear or did not attempt to recognize what you have just said. In this case, don’t follow his or her lead, but stick to what you are saying. You might emphasize the fact that the counter-argument is not relevant to the particular topic or repeat your argument once again by rephrasing it. It is important that you don’t get tricked from your main logical path.
- Another type of sophism is when your opponent asks you to provide proof for something that is obvious. He or she will do that on purpose — so, again, you might point out that it’s not relevant to the topic or explain that it simply doesn’t require any proof.
- Your antagonist may force you to repeat your argument all over again, making you move in circles, and then claim that the problem cannot be ever solved. Don’t make the audience feel that your point is a chain of never-ending arguments — use the cause-effect connections to break the circle.
- One more powerful trick is to weaken the opponent by contradicting everything he or she says or giving negative comments. If you are dealing with this, it’ll wear you off. All in all, find something that your opponent will have to agree with and connect it logically with the rest.
- Your combatant might sting your self-esteem by making you accept the fact that you can be mistaken. Still, don’t let this set the tone of the debate. Everyone may be wrong at times, and admitting it portrays you as a person who accepts faults and is able to learn.
- There is a tactic that will make you both stupefied and worn out very quickly. It is when your challenger rephrases your argument to defend his/her own position. Don’t be easily provoked and hold on to your argument. Also, make sure to point out what he/she is doing in front of the audience.
- To weaken you up, your opponent may treat everything that you say as another obscure theory. He or she might insist on this throughout the entire debate just to make the audience question the validity of your information. At this point, you might draw an example of how exactly the argument you are defending was proven and draw some additional facts to regain your position.
- When the rivals feel they are losing, they might get straight to the offensive. Don’t succumb to the accusations and don’t become defensive. This is a debate with a clearly stated topic — it has nothing to do with your persona. This might as well be your response to the opponent.
To sum it all up, you should get prepared to a possibility that your opponent will do anything to make you lose your argument, from changing the subject to inverting your words and even to direct insults. Remember that you can’t always win with sophisms — in the end, you will get exposed. When participating in debates, always stay focused on the logical aspects of arguments and always stick to the point. Keep in mind that it isn’t about you; it’s about delivering your point to the audience and making sure it is a strong one.