Maria Popova wrote a post on The Marginalian titled How to Criticize with Kindness: Philosopher Daniel Dennett on the Four Steps to Arguing Intelligently.
« Dennett synthesizes the steps:
How to compose a successful critical commentary:
- You should attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, vividly, and fairly that your target says, “Thanks, I wish I’d thought of putting it that way.”
- You should list any points of agreement (especially if they are not matters of general or widespread agreement).
- You should mention anything you have learned from your target.
- Only then are you permitted to say so much as a word of rebuttal or criticism. »
« It transforms your opponent into a more receptive audience for your criticism or dissent, which in turn helps advance the discussion. »
Daniel Dennett is the author of Intuition Pumps And Other Tools for Thinking (2014).
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