Is it normal that even highly educated people don't understand subjectivism?

All throughout my life I've encountered people that have different opinions than I do, who want to change the way I see things.

This is fine, in fact it's a great thing! I expect it. But what I don't understand is the alarmingly high rate of blindness to subjectivism in these discussions, even among highly educated people.

In my own experience (wink wink) I encounter countless arguments lobbed at me that operate under the notion that 1.) the arguer's life experience is identical to my own, and 2.) that their subjective view of "truth" is fact, across the board.

So why is it that arguments are so frequently presented using ineffectual tactics like sensationalism, broad-sweeping generalizations ("Everybody knows that..." ; "It's just plain fact that...") when we're not arguing within any established alethic or epistemic modalities?

It doesn't make a great deal of sense to me to attempt to debate a value system that doesn't account for variance in the party you're debating with.

Is it normal that so many people try to, anyway? Do you? I understand that it's really easy to do, but why are so many incapable of stepping back and establishing a common ground before entering a debate?

Or am I just crazy for expecting this?

Voting Results
78% Normal
Based on 18 votes (14 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • charli.m

    People are egocentric. That's what I think, anyway.

    I know I do it, but I (mostly) try not to.

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  • kelili

    The greatest wisdom is recognizing that we are all different and that there's not one way of thinking that is right.

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  • thatchickyouhate

    crazy.

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  • dybex

    There are no facts or truth. All our arguments are built on assertion or interpretation of evidence.

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  • Legion

    I know what you mean, I work with some people like that, they are cryptic In asking something, and if you ask to be more specific, they get pissed off at you. It's like they expect me to read their minds or something!

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  • Dad

    Well facts actually remain facts even if people have differences in personalities or feelings!

    But since you stated their 'subjective' version of facts, well these obviously aren't facts but their own point of view.

    I would find it strange that so called 'intelligent' people would not know what the difference is between fact and feelings.

    Its a well known fact that people are just human I suppose ;)

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  • myboyfriendsbitch

    Subjecti-WHHHAT? I don't believe in facts. If I use such phrases I don't put much weight into them; they are purely for effect. Everybody knows that everybody does not know that it is just plain fact that an exaggeration emphasizes the point being made.

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  • Sog

    If we were to dismiss such tactics as not being valid, then arguing would simply be impossible.

    We are all human. As humans we all have experiences. We base our arguments on those experiences.

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  • dirtybirdy

    Brain says ouch.

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