Self Art of Argument in Regulation through Private
Due to differences among people, many have found it a habit to argue with those whose opinions they do not agree with. Out of the billions of people currently living in the world, it is almost unlikely that one would find someone else whose thoughts and views agree with their own all the time. Because all people are very different, in personality, in their way of thinking, and in the values that they follow, perhaps the only person one can find that would agree with them all the time, would be their own selves.
However, this is not even the case all the time. Some people may find that they are on the fence regarding an issue, and they may be uncertain regarding which side they should take up. Most people often encounter problems and are unsure regarding which course of action to take, and they would need more time to list down all the possible pros and cons available. By using private speech talking the issues over with themselves, and finding the best solution afterwards one is able to finally make a choice they believe is the best recourse.
One of the benefits of indulging in private talk in reaching a decision over a certain problem or subject you are involved in, is to make use of self-argument. This is a method done where you assume the roles of two persons on different sides of an issue, and eventually reach a decision regarding which view or perspective to follow. This can be compared to playing chess with yourself; the black and white chessboard pieces are all controlled by you, but the black pieces always play to win against the white chess pieces, and vice versa. You use different pawns, rook, queens, and knights when you take up the opposite side, and you make moves that will hopefully outmaneuver the opposing pieces. This is especially hard, simply because you are aware of your own strategy for both sides. To beat the opponent, you have to learn how to literally outmaneuver yourself.
In the same way, engaging in an argument with yourself is the same as playing chess with yourself. You have all the evidence and arguments that are both advantageous and disadvantageous to the issue in question. You are aware of what the opponent is going to say long before he opens his mouth, but your objective in these exercises is to actually outtalk him and win by pointing out flaws in his arguments, and putting forward your own in as accurate a manner as you can. By being able to effectively argue with yourself, you may be able to discover and learn new things on the spot that you may not have had previously.
Arguing with yourself is not just limited to current issues or problems that you are undergoing; it can also be a chance to assess certain traits and characteristics that you possess, and question whether or not these are beneficial for you or otherwise. You can point out the reasons why you act in a certain manner, or list down some flaws that you feel you may possess, and point out the reasons why you do so. You can then make counterargument that point out why you may tend to keep these qualities, or what are the habits that encourage these bad characteristics.
By taking up both sides of the issue, you are able to understand the perspective from both sides and make clearer assessments on what to do. By voicing them aloud, you are more able to focus on organizing your thoughts and keeping track of important points to consider in the course of the argument. Not only does this help you reach decisions easier, it also trains you to be more objective and unbiased.
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