Ideas worth spreading

For argument's sake

1,853,072 views | Daniel H. Cohen • TEDxColbyCollege

Why do we argue? To out-reason our opponents, prove them wrong, and, most of all, to win! Right? Philosopher Daniel H. Cohen shows how our most common form of argument -- a war in which one person must win and the other must lose -- misses out on the real benefits of engaging in active disagreement.

Why do we argue? To out-reason our opponents, prove them wrong, and, most of all, to win! Right? Philosopher Daniel H. Cohen shows how our most common form of argument -- a war in which one person must win and the other must lose -- misses out on the real benefits of engaging in active disagreement.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxColbyCollege, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

About the speaker

Daniel H. Cohen

Daniel H. Cohen

See speaker profile

Philosopher Daniel H. Cohen studies language and the way we argue through reason.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

Find a TEDx event near you

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxColbyCollege, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.