Mussar: How and Why Arguing with Most People is a Waste of Time

"The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it."

~ George Bernard Shaw

Only a sincere Seeker of Truth seems to get past this

Rav Nachman of Breslov noted that arguers often become overtaken by "Ko'ach Hannitzachon" and thereby lose their objectivity to understand or to value counter-arguments. Beth Hillel were deemed "Anv'sonnim", perhaps due to this peculiar meedah.

I have given colleagues "ultimatums" as follows

Either be a passionate advocate for a position

Or

Be passionately objective about the truth.

But don't conflate the too. If you wish to be an intellectually honest researcher, then drop your prejudices and follow the trail of the evidence. If you go in with your mind made up, forgetaboutit.

Kol Tuv,
RRW