How to Disagree

Paul Graham has a great piece on how to disagree with people in the best possible way.

He provides a hierarchy, with 7 being best:

1. Name-calling

2. Ad hominem

3. Responding to tone

4. Contradiction

5. Counterargument

6. Refutation

7. Refuting the central point

The TL;DR here is to evaluate any argument you’re having with someone, and see where each participant is in the hierarchy, and work to get to refuting the central point.