I'm just stating a super obvious example where the reasoning is super obviously flawed and that pointing it out is super obviously not disagreeing with it just to keep it as simple as possible.

by Anonymous 6 hours ago

Fair enough, but simple isn't always better. Sometimes a more grounded example can help things.

by Unfair_Weekend_8608 6 hours ago

I think part of the problem here is that you're not staking out a position and supporting it. You're just shooting down their reasoning. That's going to feel hostile to them even if they can't articulate that you're acting as if telling them they are wrong is more important than what you actually believe. They're reacting as if you're doing a more common form of attack - telling them that their position is wrong - but they aren't incorrect in the perception that you seem to be in this chiefly to attack what they say. If that's not actually why you're talking to them - if you're actually interested in why you believe things, why they believe things, and how you can better understand each other - state a position and support it by focusing on what you think is persuasive rather than where you aren't persuaded by their reasoning. Ask questions, introduce concepts that interested you, and seriously entertain the possibility that they have reasons that matter to them and are worth understanding.

by Anonymous 6 hours ago