Some of us simply find the Socratic method puerile,annoying and insincere. We had enough of it in college. That it is a favorite dodge of the left in defense of the indefensible makes the use of the tactic even more grating. Got a position, state it. Don't play sophomoric "what if" games.
Btw..."challenges others to think" sums up the Libertarian attitude. Pure snobbery. The height of arrogance. And Libertarians wonder why they have not be able to connect with even a fraction of the public.
I can understand why you might believe independent thought to be "pure snobbery" and "arrogance", particularly in today's political climate. There was however, a time when it (thought) was considered important. Alas, those days have long since passed, and they are unlikely to return without some sort of catastrophic shock therapy.
Clearly asking people to think about why they hold their political views, makes them uncomfortable. Asking them to defend those views, makes them even more uncomfortable. (particularly when they don't have a philosophical foundation to appeal to, to justfiy those positions)
I'm aware of this discomfort. I'm aware of the fact that people tend to lash out at things that cause them discomfort. I am also aware of the current "fraction of the public" with which Libertarians are able to connect. I think it's to be expected in a world divorced from reason.
No one is interested in your analysis of OWK's debating skills. We're interested only in where you stand on the issues.
That it is a favorite dodge of the left in defense of the indefensible makes the use of the tactic even more grating. Got a position, state it. Don't play sophomoric "what if" games.
The only people I see dodging are you and others who keep analysing and criticising the way in which people debate in order to avoid having to defend your positions. I never dodge questions and to the best of my recollection neither does OWK. In fact, we've both spent a great deal of time aswering them.
..."challenges others to think" sums up the Libertarian attitude. Pure snobbery. The height of arrogance.
If your positions are defensible and your logic impeccable then you wouldn't have the need to dodge challenges and call Libertarians arrogant. Make the best, most compelling case you can for your side and let others make their own decisions.
If you've ever read my FR bio page you'll see that I was once an active Republican. I contributed MANY hours to Republican causes. I even used to believe in prayer in school and the WOD. But, a tenacious Libertarian made a far more compelling case to me for freedom and limited government.
Libertarians wonder why they have not be able to connect with even a fraction of the public.
Actually, most people I talk to agree with most of what Libertarians stand for. In fact, often times they agree more with Libertarians than Republicans. But, they're afraid to support Libertarians for a number of reasons. They think they'll be helping to elect Democrats or they support the government safety-net. At any rate, they manage to find at least one reason not to support Libertarians. Since Libertarians do not promise to use government to redistribute wealth, and half of Americans receive some kind of handout from the government, it makes our job all that much more difficult.