Why cant people admit they're wrong?
Asked by
Mtl_zack (
6702
)
April 26th, 2008
whenever i have an argument and i totally pin the other person, they never admit they’re wrong, even when i give them solid evidence. they always say “but you said (insert something that can be pronounced wrong but means something opposite here), and then complain about not giving a valid argument.
also, why cant people change their mind about something when arguing? if someone brings up a valid point and then i agree with that, they stare at me blankly until i give a criticism.
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12 Answers
The art of argument is not proving that you are right, it is only proving the other person wrong.
“My chief objection to a quarrel,” Chesterton wrote, “is that it ends a good argument.”
I think people object to the ego involved – why do you want so badly to be right? I have no problem agreeing to a sound argument, but I hate it when the other party phrases it in such a way that by agreeing I am somehow also agreeing to their superiority and “rightness”, rather than simply a good argument. It’s largely why I avoided a doctorate.
I’d like to know that too since I’m never wrong.
It’s a matter of pride. Don’t ask the person to admit that they (as a person) are wrong, but rather give them a chance to change their stance or argument. The sense of victory is just as great, but then you also have to remember to be a gracious winner.
And a great movie tip if you want to do well in debates/arguments is Thank You For Smoking (he’s my hero!)
because of EGO…..I…...when “I” can never be wrong because “I” do everything right
I love this issue as I enjoy debate and tend to have trouble admitting defeat (but I’ve been getting better). But, for someone who likes it more for the subject matter and all the fiesty give-and-take and less so “pinning” the other person/people, my strategy is always to smile smugly and nod when, in their last ditch efforts, the bring in the straw man arguments. It’s your way of telling them that you know you won!
I guess it’s just because the feeling of being wrong really sucks. like Zen above said it’s a pride issue. I think it’s just human nature really, because as much as I don’t like to admit it to myself and as much as I HATE it when other people do it I hypocritically find myself doing the same thing!
Because they don’t want to show a sign of weakness. It’s hard for me too to admit when I’m wrong, because it’s more important to me to prove to them that they’re wrong. probably not good on my part Anyways, it really pisses me off when they think that they’re always right. I mean, I’m admitting right now. I’m not always right, but I don’t want to just say.. I’m wrong. Does this make any sense?
Ego,pride, and superiority.
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