If everyone says I am right then who is wrong
We have all had arguments. Occasionally these reach an agreed upon conclusion but usually the parties involved either agree to disagree or end up thinking the other party hopelessly stupid, ignorant or irrationally stubborn. Very rarely do people consider the possibility that it is they who are ignorant, stupid, irrational or stubborn even when they have good reason to believe that the other party is at least as intelligent or educated as themselves.
Sometimes the argument was about something factual where the facts could be easily checked e.g. who won a certain football match in 1966.
Sometimes the facts aren’t so easily checked because they are difficult to understand but the problem is clear and objective. (…)
Sometimes the facts aren’t as mathematical or logical as the Monty Hall solution. Each party to the argument appeals to ‘facts’ which the other party disputes. (…)
Sometimes the arguments boil down to differences in values. For example, what tastes better chocolate or vanilla ice cream, or who is prettier Jane or Mary? In these cases there isn’t really a correct answer – even when a large majority favors a particular alternative. Values also have a strong way of influencing what people accept as evidence or indeed what they perceive at all.
The interesting thing is that when the disagreement isn’t a pure values difference it should always be possible to reach agreement.
