I thought of this post today in the first session of a class I'm taking. The teacher said that someone who cannot understand and argue the opposite side of their own position is merely an irrational fanatical.So, my question for him is, what's the argument on the other side of that position?
Why, yes, I do think I'm just so clever. But I also think it's a good question.
2 comments:
I suspect that the teacher would argue that he was merely defining an irrational fanatical. Of course, by his own statements, this amounts to mere regurgitation, and pointing this out would merely earn his emnity and a lower grade.
I've had several instructors that talked like this - and, sadly, failed to live up to it. I quickly found that taking a position contrary to theirs, no matter how well argued or reasoned, was a quick way to a "C" or lower.
Actually, the teacher was playing the devil's advocate. He warned us at the beginning he would frequently try to push our buttons. He is currently feeling out which viewpoints will get the most response out of us.
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