Do not disagree disputatiously or contentiously. Look at a disagreement equally as an opportunity to teach as well as to learn.

The difference between knowledge and opinion is presence of reasons for arguments. When you disagree with knowledge, you should also give reasons for that.

Preconditions for thoughtful controversy:

• Recognise the emotions, existing or arising during the argument.
• Make your assumptions and prejudices explicit.
• Be mindful about your personal likes and dislikes (partisanship). If you are not able to read the book sympathetically, your disagreement is probably more contentious than civil.

Reasons for disagreement:

• "You are uninformed."
• "You are misinformed."
• "You are illogical". Conclusion doesn't follow from given reasons, or there is an inconsistency.
• "Your analysis is incomplete."

Be definite and precise about what the author is uninformed, misinformed, or illogical.

Thoughtful disagreement is one of the components of The Reality Group culture.

Related:

• Seek first to understand, then to be understood
• Think critically
• Diversity of thought through challenge questions

References

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