[Goose]

As a general point, though, if you label policy positions with which you disagree as being "insane" how can you possibly engage with them?  How can you think about the relative merits and drawbacks?

Totally agree, and I believe that this drives many of the deep divisions that appear to exist in our country. Why would one attempt to reason with a person that you have already decided is insane?

How do you even examine your own positions?


BC

Especially this. If you don't examine your own assumptions and understand what must be true for your position to have merit you will not be in a position to rationally defend it. Sometimes it turns out you can't defend all your assumptions or prove the all truths you need to be correct.

[Goose]

As a general point, though, if you label policy positions with which you disagree as being "insane" how can you possibly engage with them?  How can you think about the relative merits and drawbacks?

Totally agree, and I believe that this drives many of the deep divisions that appear to exist in our country. Why would one attempt to reason with a person that you have already decided is insane?

How do you even examine your own positions?


BC

Especially this. If you don't examine your own assumptions and understand what must be true for your position to have merit you will not be in a position to rationally defend it. Sometimes it turns out you can't defend all your assumptions or prove the all truths you need to be correct.