Why do people resort to personal attacks instead of intelligently debating?

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lavenderspirit2005

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I have seen this dishonest practice SO frequently when I have gotten into discussions/debates with another person. A point of interest is being discussed and when the other person is unable to intelligently respond to your assertions/perspective, they lose all credibility and resort to personal attacks. Has anyone else experienced this and what do you personally do when this happens? Do you continue to try to keep the debate at an intelligent and respectful level, exit the debate, or allow the other person to make a spectacle of themself?
 
I have experienced this too!

I think they do it because the either do not have the knowledge to back up their beliefs or that they do not understand the definition of "debate" or "argument".

I worked with a girl that resorted to those tactics whenever she was in an argument, you would start discussing a project, your opinion would be different that hers and you would start with personal attracts.

I always let her finish, then in a disturbingly calm voice reply:
"Although you think I am "stupid/fat/ugly" we are discussing project X, not my "intelligence/weight/beauty" and I need answers! This is your project you need to..."

it always stopped her tirade, but she usually just scampered away, without finishing the discussion!
 
Ah, the ad hominem attack, favorite weapon of those with no better argument. I find that this is largely because people either lose their tempers, or have no intelligent response. I think it's basically because people can't admit defeat, and think that if they can insult you, they might annoy you enough to get you to back down.

I typically either get back to the actual topic, or mentally declare them to be morons and unworthy of my time. Though it is fun to try and let them look stupid. You know, if they set themselves up like that, I just can't feel too bad about it... :D
 
The key word here is "intelligently".

They aren't smart enough, so "dissing" someone's outfit or looks makes them feel smart when all they've done is made themselves look even more foolish.

I simply just walk away and let them rant to the poor soul who's listening. I have better things to do!
 
Yes, this happens often. That is how you know someone has lost the debate. Can't think of anything smart to say? Resort to the playground standard: "You're a stupidhead!"
 
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