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Dear reader,

there are probably endless ways to start an argument and an equal number of ways it could end. An argument is never a good thing.

You can’t win an argument. You can’t because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. Why? Well, suppose you triumph over the other man and shoot his argument full of holes and prove that he is non compos mentis. Then what? You will feel fine. But what about him? You have made him feel inferior. You have hurt his pride. He will resent your triumph. And a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

Dale Carnagie – “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

So, what can you do? You could argue endlessly and pointlessly, or argue constructively, basing your reasoning on facts.

You can augment the level of the discussion instead of having it spiralling down.

You can stop the argument by changing your attitude toward your antagonist: have him realise that you are on the same side as good thinking and good willing, and not on the side of your fear, interests and egotism.

If I were to find a word for that kind of behaviour, merging the three keywords here, I’d strongly lean toward arguement.

Until next time, think win-win.