Weekly Quote: Maurois on Arguments and Opinions

The difficult part in an argument is not to defend one's opinion, but rather to know it.
- Andre Maurois, quoted in Frederic B. Wilcox, A Little Book of Aphorisms (1947).

A standard aspect of learning about logic, arguments, and critical thinking is learning how to properly construct arguments so that they do a good job at defending a particular position. That is, after all, the point of an argument: to establish the truth or at least the likely truth of a particular proposition. While there is no doubt that all of this is important, too great of a focus upon it can allow one to miss a critical ingredient: actually knowing what it is you are supposed to be defending in the first place.

Now, this may seem obvious - so obvious, in fact, that it's pointless to waste time on it. It's just that attitude that the quotation from Maurois should chasten us not to adopt so quickly. By neglecting it, we can easily allow a problem to develop. Before we can construct a sound argument supporting a position, we need to be absolutely clear just what it is we wish to defend.

Unfortunately, it's not all that unusual for a person to find themselves in the middle of a debate, lost and directionless, because they have lost sight of the position they are advocating. Too often, they may not have ever had it well in sight to begin with - some launch into debates with only vague notions of what they are talking about.

There are many factors which can contribute to our failure to be clear on what our positions are: the vagueness of terms we are using, not bothering to clearly set down what we mean, an inability to express our ideas coherently, etc. In school, it's common for students learning how to write essays and papers to be instructed that they should always first set down a "thesis," some position which they are planning to discuss or defend. Whatever habits are developed in doing this are quickly lost, but perhaps it would be wise to resurrect them.

If everyone began their argument with some sort of thesis statement, then no only would they be clear on what opinion they are defending, but so would everyone else. This brings significant benefits because it may help eliminate misunderstandings, force the arguer to be clearer on what is meant, and may even allow others to hold the arguer responsible for shifting their terms and ideas later of when they find themselves in trouble (yes, some people do try this tactic).

More Weekly Quotes: commentary and analysis each week on a different quotation dealing with philosophy, religion, and more.