Invincible Ignorance and Falsification

In this form of attack on your opposition you accuse your opponent of clinging to principles or beliefs that he (a) accepts uncritically, (b) refuses to debate, and (c) offers no criteria for refutation or falsifiability.

The last criterion, falsifiability, is a critical one. It is almost a definition of rationality to say that a man is rational to the extent that he will tell you under what circumstances he will change his mind.

To know when a belief will be considered false is to know how to reason with someone who holds that belief. It is a mark of psychosis that someone will not under any circumstance change his mind. To expose your opponent as one who holds this kind of belief is to undermine the audience's tolerance of him as a rational person.

Most people,of course if given enough time and help, could specify when they would consider their beliefs dis-confirmed. However, most people never really think about this point. You should take advantage of this lapse in attention and frequently charge your opponent with invincible ignorance. You will be surprised how often it will work.

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