Arguments

For the sake of argument:

Not all arguments are logical.

Arguments can be heated.

Arguments can be circular.

Arguments can be absurd or lead to absurdity.

Do arguments actually help us convince each other of anything?

They seem to work with people already predisposed to agree with us. We tend to like arguments in which we already believe the conclusion, even if they aren’t the strongest arguments.

Is this an argument against arguments? Seems like a paradox. Is it convincing you of anything? Were you already predisposed to agree?

Are there other ways to convince someone than an argument?

Pascal once wrote that the heart has reason of which the reason does not know. Or something to that effect in French. Maybe he was on to something. Of course not all arguments are reasonable, but even if they are, are they effective? Maybe there are better ways to convince people. Maybe telling a compelling story can convince someone where an argument can’t. Or, maybe intuition can be more convincing?

Perhaps arguments are a dead end?