Lecture Notes on "Good Arguments" by Bo Seo

Introduction

• Current State of Public Conversations

  • Conversations are in crisis and stuck.
  • People are fully convinced of their views and shout from a distance.
  • Skills for good argument have atrophied.
  • Arguments are often instinctual or defensive.
  • Poor arguments degrade conversation quality.

• Importance of Restoring Faith in Disagreements

  • Disagreements can be a source of good or ill.

Speaker Background

• Bo Seo
  • Two-time world debate champion, former coach of Australian and Harvard debate teams.
  • Author of "Good Arguments."
  • Moved from South Korea to Australia at age 8, struggled with language and cultural barriers.
  • Joined debate team, found value in structured argumentation.

Understanding Arguments

• Difference Between Intelligence and Wisdom

  • Intelligence: Ability to respond to any argument.
  • Wisdom: Knowing which arguments to respond to.

• Challenges in Arguments

  • Easy to start, hard to end arguments due to numerous differences.
  • Importance of defining the specific disagreement.

The RISA Framework

• Framework for Wise Argumentation

  • Reality: Is the disagreement real or a misunderstanding?
  • Importance: Is the disagreement important enough to pursue?
  • Specificity: Is the topic specific enough for progress?
  • Alignment: Are the objectives for the disagreement aligned?

• Limitations

  • Difficulty in aligning interests productively.
  • Application in personal settings like family gatherings.

Strategies for Effective Disagreements

• Starting with Agreement

  • Identify and agree on the specific disagreement.

• Negotiating Objectives

  • Determine the purpose of the disagreement.
  • Encourage meaningful participation.

• Controlling Argument Scope

  • Prevent expansion into unrelated issues.
  • Remind parties of initial agreement.

Listening and Response Techniques

• Active Listening
  • Understanding the opposition's argument in their context.
  • Respond to the strongest version of the opponent's case.

Debate as an Exercise in Certainty

• Preparation and Perspective-Taking
  • Debaters prepare by considering the opposition's best arguments.
  • Imagining losing the debate to identify flaws in one's case.

Side-Switch Exercises

• Purpose and Benefits
  • Create humility and empathy by imagining being wrong.
  • Applicable in personal and political disputes.

Conclusion

• Broader Implications

  • Exercises like side-switch expand the scope of productive conversation.
  • Importance of addressing contentious issues compassionately.

• Additional Resources

  • Big Think+ for further learning.