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Pastimes : Don't Ask Rambi
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To: JF Quinnelly who wrote (36481)8/29/1999 1:04:00 AM
From: PCModem  Read Replies (1) of 71178
 
"I've yet to see a debate where you get to define your opponent's position for him, and then attack him for "holding" the position that you just ascribed to him."

Then you certainly have not read the PABN thread. LOL! The difference is that the perpetrator there of what you describe is not doing so with anyone's permission.

I hope you understand I am not defending coug's statements.

I guess what I've been trying to communicate is this: We all make assumptions to fill in the 'blanks' where the 'facts not in evidence' go. It is how our brains work. Prejudice, "pre-judging," is an example of this kind of thing.

Education (usually) and experience (almost always) can help us consciously recognize the difference between our assumptions about what is true and what is fact.

When we begin to believe that what our imaginations have come up with to fill in the missing parts is indeed what is real, that can express itself as bigotry, being opinionated, and in extreme cases insanity.

"...the problem is that he wants to ascribe beliefs to others that suit his convenience."

Agreed. An excellent summation of the difficulty here. Also a fairly common human failing (making assumptions in support of one's conclusions). Maybe that's what should have been said to him at the beginning.

I made a similar mistake a few days ago when someone threatened violence against others here on this very thread. I took what was said at face value, filled in the blanks and let the offending party know just how wrong she was. The info I put in the blanks was wrong. I was corrected nicely by some and in a flip manner by others. No matter.

I think we all have a right to be wrong on occasion.

PCM
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