Opponent: "I think we should be more careful with our budget this quarter."
Schopenhauer starts with a cynical truth: human vanity is stronger than the pursuit of truth. We don't want to be right; we want to appear right. To help us achieve this, he outlines 38 "stratagems"—essentially a list of logical fallacies used as offensive weapons. 3 "Dirty" Tactics for the Modern Debater Arta de a avea Г®ntotdeauna dreptate
Claim that your opponent's statement, which is true in a specific context, is false because it isn't true in every context. It’s the "Yes, but what about..." of the 19th century. The Paradox of the Book Opponent: "I think we should be more careful
Schopenhauer calls this the "ultimate" trick. When you realize you are losing on facts, stop talking about the subject and start attacking the person. Insult their intelligence, their past, or their character. Once the argument becomes a personal brawl, the original truth you were losing on is forgotten. 3 "Dirty" Tactics for the Modern Debater Claim
Here is an exploration of why this "wicked" little book is still the ultimate playbook for the modern world. The Master of Intellectual Gaslighting
Take your opponent’s specific, valid point and stretch it to an absurdly broad generalization.