This is a piece of text derived from a text I found on the internet (http://www.siena.org/library/sssum98/argument.html). I'm not implying here that it has become very difficult here on the UT to have an argument. But sometimes I'm really surprised by the negative reactions to arguments, here or on other forums like Foxite. What's your opinion?

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It seems that it has become very difficult to have an argument. This is a serious state of affairs, because argument — the free discussion of opposing views — has been one of the most significant ways through which people have come to the truth of things.

The very word "argument" is derived from the Latin arguere which means, "to make clear"; argument is for the sake of clarifying what ought to be said. Without propositions — even opposing propositions — the truth could not have been made clear.

Why has it become difficult to have an argument? I suspect that there are at least two reasons, one superficial, one profound.

Superficially, we dislike arguments because they appear to be impolite: our problem is not one of principle, but of etiquette. In this vein some of us were taught never to discuss religion or politics in polite society.

The truth is that etiquette is essential so long as we cannot presume relationship of any kind. With a total stranger it is likely best to limit discussion to the weather or, if we are bolder, the sports page. Tolerance must always be the rule when we ourselves are being tolerated. But the moment that we begin to relate is precisely the moment in which we cease to tolerate the beliefs and opinions of another. We cease to tolerate them because we begin to take them seriously. We seek to be of one mind and heart with those who matter to us, and therefore we begin to argue — that is, to clarify together what we think and feel. To waltz around a disagreement lest we offend against decorum is unworthy of friendship. For my part, I have never rejoiced in a single friend with whom I have not argued. Argument is the very stuff of friendship.

The sad fact is that we no longer presume friendship in society; we expect an utter lack of it. Therefore we are concerned for all the niceties of anonymity: we are polite and mannerly, we tolerate everything that is said, and we condemn ourselves and others to the horror of being completely disregarded.

It is difficult to have an argument when our first social concern is to be nice. But the second reason that argument is difficult — the more profound reason — lies in a mistake we have made about authority. Having got out of the habit of arguing, we have made the fatal assumption that every proposition from someone in authority is of the same weight.