Debunk Honestly

Are You Really Being Honest?

I read a lot. I read books. I read things in the news, and I read articles on Medium, among other locations.

I know we are engaged in a Culture War and have been for quite sometime.

When I read, I often see this war come to life. I see the bias. I see the deception and propaganda. I see the desire to persuade people to turn to one side or the other.

Personally, I seek truth. I’m not afraid to have my mind changed. I’ve changed it many times in my life.

But, my mind never gets changed by intellectual dishonesty.

I read a lot of things where the writer pretends to debunk an idea or belief system.

I say pretend because dishonesty is incapable of debunking anything. When you are playing tricks with people. Those who know the truth, can plainly see and tell others. Those who don’t see will hear eventually of the lies, and when their eyes are opened, you’ve lost them forever.

This is why few people trust politicians and the media.

So, just be honest.

I’m going to assume the writer’s deception is not intentional. They just don’t know any better because they were tricked also.

But, calling people names, and making fun of what they believe or their ideas, is not debunking.

It’s a logical fallacy. It’s Ad Hominem and Appeal to Ridicule.

You did not debunk, you just proved you have no real argument so you call names.

If you mischaracterize a person’s or group’s actual belief or idea, then attack it. You have proven nothing. That’s a Strawman fallacy.

You have not debunked them. You attacked a fantasy.

Or perhaps you might say, “because the expert says so…”

This is a fallacy also. Appeal to Authority. The expert can be wrong or biased, or bought off or lying.  

It’s not real proof.

So I appeal to the writers. Debunk honestly.

Find the truth. Seek out original sources. Let your mind change. Admit there are valid questions or fears.

I have had my mind changed and grown many times by researching the truth.

According to the rules of debate, you should be able to argue another person’s position as well as they can. You should know everything they know. If not, then you cannot really debunk anything.

You can learn something and still not agree. That is where your argument lies. If you must be dishonest, or use tricks, or logical fallacies. Then you must ask yourself.

“What is the truth here?”

Then go find it.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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