Thinking Out Loud with Alan Shlemon - Arguing Is a Virtue, Not a Vice

Episode Date: April 15, 2025

Alan explains why people don’t like to argue, and then explains why it’s essential that we learn to argue well.

Many people think it's wrong to argue. In fact, they believe that arguing isn't nice, productive or healthy. Well, that's just not true. In fact, I wanna explain why in this episode of my podcast, Thinking Out Loud with Alan Shleeman. ["Thinking Out Loud with Alan Shleeman"] You've probably all heard the cliche, never discuss politics or religion. And that's really too bad because both are important topics.

And in fact, both of them have very significant consequences for everyone in this life or the next. So why should we avoid discussing them? Well, I think what happens, unfortunately, is that many people who disagree about politics and religion tend to lose their temper and their conversations devolve to yelling, name-calling, and then relationships become really strained. In fact, even online where people have time to give a calm

and sort of measured response, you find that people are super rude. In fact, online discussions are worse than in-person ones. And so I think what's happening is that our inability to hold a productive conversation highlights a glaring problem in our society. And that is, we are unable to engage in healthy arguments. In fact, we are unable to hold meaningful conversations about important topics. Now I know what a lot of people think. They think, well, you know, arguing isn't nice or it's not productive or it's not healthy. But that's just not true.

It just depends on your definition. For example, the word argue comes from the Latin root, arguere, and gee, I hope I didn't pronounce that really badly because my wife is a Latin teacher and she'll kill me if I did. But anyways, you get the point. Arguere, I think it's the way you pronounce it. And this means to make clear or to prove.

Now notice, there's nothing wrong with making things clear or trying to prove a point. And so from this root word, we get the word argue, which is a verb, we get the word argument, which is a noun. And then we also get the word argumentative, which is an adjective. And so what I want to do is look at each of these terms and explain their significance. So let's first take a look at the verb to argue. Now, when we consider the meaning of the Latin root, it's clear that arguing, namely

proving a point or explaining your ideas so they're understood. That type of arguing is a virtue. In fact, I'd say it's essential to any civil society. Because without the ability to argue, it's difficult to discover truth or to discern error. Plus, arguing trains your mind and enhances critical thinking skills. And so in the long run, you'll become better at evaluating different ideas. Now, though people might feel uneasy about arguing with someone, it's often not because they're arguing, but because they're

doing it in an inappropriate manner. In fact, we're going to get to this in just a minute, but arguing in and of itself is not a vice. Now, having said that, when you argue, you need to direct your efforts at producing something that's vital to a productive conversation. And that thing is an argument. Okay. So I want to turn our attention to that now.

The noun argument, and kind of want to unpack that a little bit, because when you disagree with someone, you want to try to formulate an argument or encourage the other person to offer one. Now, an argument is a very particular type of thing, and it contains two parts. There's your claim and then there's your evidence or reasons.

Now notice both are essential. A claim is essential and evidence is essential. So remember this key principle though, whoever makes a claim is the one who bears the burden of proof. In other words, if you offer your opinion about a matter, then you is the one who bears the burden of proof. In other words, if you offer your opinion about a matter, then you are the one who is responsible to provide evidence or reasons for that particular opinion. All right. So for example, if you were to claim that God exists, well, then you must be the one who shows why you think that claim is true. Now, if you don't do that,

then you've just merely given your opinion that God exists, which is a claim, but you haven't produced an argument. The only way to turn your claim into an argument is to provide evidence that shows that the claim is true. So for example, maybe to provide evidence that the claim that God exists is true, you might wanna bring up the fact that since the universe began to exist,

something must have caused it to begin and providing evidence for that claim. You've now produced an argument. Right? So in other words, you'd, you'd provide evidence for your claim. All right. Now it makes sense for your friend to evaluate your argument to determine whether it's persuasive or unconvincing. Right.

And furthermore, it's, it's possible your friend could provide a counter argument, which, which then you could evaluate. And so of course, this process can go back and forth, thereby enabling the two of you to learn from each other. As you discover what's true and what's not. That's healthy discourse, right? Provided you're not argumentative.

And so this is where I want to turn our attention to this third word, argumentative, which is an adjective. Now, when it comes to this word, this is what many people associate with arguments, right? Being argumentative. And too often people engage in arguments in a very particular manner. They're belligerent, they're, they're crass, they're kind of sending or they're rude. Now, of course, that's not what's supposed to happen, right? When you engage

another person in an argument, you're supposed to be calm, patient, gracious, and not assume the most uncharitable interpretation of what they just said. Right. And remember for those of us who are Christians, keep in mind, you're an ambassador for Jesus Christ, right? 2 Corinthians 5 20. So that means how you come across to other people is ultimately a reflection upon the good name of Jesus, right?

Because you represent him. So therefore you are not justified in being rude, even if the other person is rude, or even if they're obnoxious or insulting or whatever. In fact, remember Paul's admonition to his protege, Timothy. Okay. This is the second Timothy 2, 20, 40, 26. Paul writes this, the Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition,

if perhaps God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of the truth. And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. Right. So, um, we shouldn't quarrel, right. But engage other people in a kind, gentle and patient manner. As we make our argument, that's our goal. We're trying to help correct mistaken thinking so that other people can escape the falsehood of the enemy and repent.

And so this is why I pray that God would grant us the wisdom and the words to make a compelling case for His truth. All right. Well, that's all I have for you today. I hope you've enjoyed this episode. And if you have, I encourage you to share it with a friend. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. And thank you for listening. I look forward to thinking out loud with you next time. you