Lecture Notes

Quotes for Discussion & Reflection

1. Abortion is legal because babies can't vote.
2. No woman can call herself free who does not control her own body.
3. Race and skin color are socially constructed, not biologically natural.
4. If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.

Instructions for Engagement

• Reflect on each quote.
• Agree or disagree, and provide reasons.
• Write your thoughts in the comments before proceeding.
• Importance of disagreement for deeper discussions.

The Importance of Disagreement

• Discussions die out quickly if everyone agrees.
• Disagreements introduce risk and ‘skin in the game’.
• Proper disagreement leads to deeper understanding.

Paul Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement (2008)

1. Name-calling

   • Attacks the person, not the argument.
   • Example: "You are idiots."

2. Ad Hominem Attack

   • Attacks the authority without addressing the argument.
   • Example: "You may be educators, but you certainly aren't scientists."

3. Responding to Tone

   • Criticizes the style/language rather than content.
   • Example: "Ain't is bad English. First, learn to speak properly."

4. Contradiction

   • Opposes the statement directly without reasoning.
   • Example: "It is round."

5. Counter-Argument

   • Contradicts with reasoning.
   • Example: "I'm a scientist and it isn't flat either. From space, it looks round."

6. Refutation

   • Quotes the statement and explains why it's mistaken.
   • Example: "Videos from space show that the Earth is indeed round."

7. Refuting the Central Point

   • Clarifies and tackles the main idea accurately.
   • Example: "Your statement that the Earth is not round is technically correct, but sharing only negatives without clarification misleads people."

Benefits of Knowing Forms of Disagreement

1. Evaluate Arguments

   • Recognize honest vs. dishonest arguments.

2. Rich Conversations

   • Focus on the actual point.

3. Increased Happiness

   • Attacking ideas instead of people reduces meanness.

Reflection & Discussion

• Do you agree with Paul Graham?
• Reflect on the initial four quotes.
• Can you refute the central point of any?
• Share your thoughts in the comments.

Final Note

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• Teachers can use these videos freely for educational purposes.
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