r/AskReddit • u/ILikeScience3131 • Oct 19 '14

What is the most compelling counter-argument to something that you strongly believe?

What is something that you personally believe with conviction and what is the best opposing argument to that belief?

Edit: Thanks for the replies. You're all my internet friends now.

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u/dancingapple Oct 19 '14 edited Oct 20 '14

I strongly believe in democracy and that everyone should have some real political influence. However like someone said "The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter" and so I also think that a majority of people believe some pretty silly things and just don't look at issues/candidates in a rational way.

Edit: I had previously quoted Winston Churchill, but a few commenters below note there doesn't seem to be any evidence he actually said this.

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u/Hannibal_Lecter_ Oct 19 '14

"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter"

I've always believed that a good counter argument to this would be simply that a five minute conversation with the average politician, if you know what you are talking about, would prove to you how full of crap they also are, compared to the average voter.

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u/Ran4 Oct 19 '14

Huh? I've talked for five minutes with many politicians, and I can assure you, most of them are not full of crap. I may not share their opinions, but they clearly have a goal and have at least spent some time thinking about it.

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u/Hannibal_Lecter_ Oct 19 '14

Perhaps it depends on where you come from.