Getting Personal

The lesson discusses how arguments should focus on the issue rather than the person making the argument. The phrase “play the ball, not the player” is used to emphasize this point. It’s important to separate a person’s character from their argument, as our opinions of them can influence our ability to listen objectively. Disliking a person or trusting them too much can lead to invalid arguments. Instead, we should base our arguments on facts and logic. Experts can be helpful, but we should question and understand their reasoning rather than blindly trusting them. For instance, climate change is a valid concern not because experts say so, but because of the facts and logic behind it.