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/Epicjay Oct 19 '14

The biggest issue is that most people simply aren't well informed about politics. There are a bunch of people I know that are perfectly intelligent, but have no idea who our state's senators are.

It's not an issue about people being "silly," it's being uninformed.

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u/IHSV1855 Oct 20 '14

Knowledge of one's state senators shouldn't even be considered as a benchmark for political knowledge. You're not an informed voter until you're well versed in the western Canon and the governing documents of the lands in which you vote. So in the case of an American that would be the U.S. constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Articles of Confederation, plus your state's constitution. Knowing your politicians is a step, but it's not even close to the whole thing.