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Single Idea 7284

[filed under theme 2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 3. Eristic ]

Full Idea

If you get the better of me in a disagreement, rather than me getting the better of you, does this mean that you are automatically right and I am automatically wrong?

Gist of Idea

If you beat me in argument, does that mean you are right?

Source

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) (The Book of Chuang Tzu [c.329 BCE], Ch.2)

Book Ref

Chuang Tzu: 'The Book of Chuang Tzu', ed/tr. Palmer,M /Breuilly,E [Penguin 1996], p.19


A Reaction

Very nice. I don't, though, think that this invalidates the process of argument. What matters about such an exchange is the resulting reflection by the two parties. Only a fool thinks that he is right because he won, or wrong because he lost.


The 15 ideas from 'The Book of Chuang Tzu'

You know you were dreaming when you wake, but there might then be a greater awakening from that [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Words are for meaning, and once you have that you can forget the words [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
The perfect man has no self [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Did Chuang Tzu dream he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dream he was Chuang Tzu? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Words of wisdom are precise and clear [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Don't even start, let's just stay put [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Disagreement means you do not understand at all [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
If you beat me in argument, does that mean you are right? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
As all life is one, what need is there for words? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
If words can't be defined, they may just be the chirruping of chicks [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Great courage is not violent [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Go with the flow, and be one with the void of Heaven [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Fish forget about each other in the pond and forget each other in the Tao [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
To see with true clarity, your self must be irrelevant [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
Do not try to do things, or to master knowledge; just be empty [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]