I think it’s actually a major problem in society that people are afraid to understand the opposing viewpoint. They’re afraid of being seen as agreeing with it or defending it. It actually helps make a constructive argument if you understand the opposing argument. You need to understand the opposition’s reasoning to help them understand your reasoning.
Understanding an argument doesn’t mean you agree with it.
Why would you ever think it would?
I think it’s actually a major problem in society that people are afraid to understand the opposing viewpoint. They’re afraid of being seen as agreeing with it or defending it. It actually helps make a constructive argument if you understand the opposing argument. You need to understand the opposition’s reasoning to help them understand your reasoning.
It’s the essential rule in the book called A Rulebook for Arguments. You can’t refute an argument you don’t understand.