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Wikipedia:Argue, don't opine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Many discussions on Wikipedia often include many statements of opinion that the participant expects to be accepted as fact. This is an example of ipse dixit ("He, himself, said it"), also known as the bare assertion fallacy, a term used to identify and describe a sort of arbitrary dogmatic statement which the speaker expects the listener to accept as valid.[1]

In this collaborative, consensus-based project, it is the persuasion of others that steers discussions towards consensus. It is the merits, logic, and reliable references to an argument that make it persuasive. Unless you are a person of considerable personal influence, mere assertion of opinion or alleged fact is not very persuasive to others to change their thinking.

What matters are conclusions demonstrated to be well supported by good strong arguments comprised of facts, references, reasons and reasoning. In a discussion, don't tell us what or especially who you agree or disagree with. Instead, tell us what arguments persuade you and why.

See also

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WP:JDLI

References

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  1. ^ Whitney, William Dwight. (1906). "Ipse dixit," The Century dictionary and cyclopedia, pp. 379-380; Westbrook, Robert B. "John Dewey and American Democracy," p. 359.