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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tekboy who wrote (57354)	11/15/2002 3:10:55 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	Respond to of 281500

why is it so difficult for people on all sides to frame their arguments in simple, comparative terms? I just don't know... ...because then they might have to list their weak points as well as their strong points? nsc@yourenotreallypuzzledareyou.com

To: tekboy who wrote (57354)	11/15/2002 3:40:37 PM
From: paul_philp	Respond to of 281500

why is it so difficult for people on all sides to frame their arguments in simple, comparative terms? I just don't know... It is the nature of being human. Most of the time we are not debating to persuade, inform or even learn. We are debating because we are afraid. The certainty that we have in our own positions reduces the uncertainty in the world. Why take the risk of exposing the weakness or limitation of our opinion when that would just make the world seems less certain. Occasionally I can own my fear long enough to see the situation with new eyes. In those moments I am capable of developing interesting ideas and I am confident enough in those ideas to expose the whole idea to the real world. This is why I place such a premium on ideas that have the ring of authenticity. The rest are usually rehashed defenses of positions that allow the author to sleep at night. Paul