It’s well and good to say, “Don’t answer a fool in his folly” ... but sometimes debates occur in an arena where people can see them.
I was asking the question here in good faith. It’s just something I see being brought up by the left as a cosmic grievance.
I think it’s good to know how to answer a fool. I’ll even admit that sometimes I’m a fool. I have read some great things that answered my questions and gave me perspective.
If fools are never answered, how can they realize they are fools?
I don’t mean to speak for MrB, but I believe the specific fool-in-folly he was referring to was my hypothetical liberal victim, not to you.
That is exactly the right question to ask, Julia.
The scripture I refer to is Proverbs 26:4 & 5.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you will be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Verse 4 says to not argue with the fool based on their false premise. Verse 5 says to expose their false premise to them so that they realize they are fools.
That's what I was getting at. We must point out to the fools that what they are arguing really isn't the point, but is simply a cover issue for what they really want.
With most libs, what that "really want" consists of is feeling good about themselves for being caring, without having to make any actual personal sacrifice to implement that "caring".