Marcel Proust Quotes

This isn't a little debate society. That's high school stuff.

Scholars will argue with each other about everything.

There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers.

Philosophy is a performance sport - you have to play it with somebody back and forth.

If you don't like what someone has to say, argue with them.

The chief effect of talk on any subject is to strengthen one's own opinions, and, in fact, one never knows exactly what he does believe until he is warmed into conviction by the heat of attack and defence.

Profound insights arise only in debate, with a possibility of counterargument, only when there is a possibility of expressing not only correct ideas but also dubious ideas.

I'm an academic. I'm hardwired for a good debate.

Ideas come in pairs and they contradict one another; their opposition is the principal engine of reflection.

There is no philosophy without the art of ignoring objections.

Over the course of time this gave us a deep respect for ideas, both our own and those of others, and an understanding that conflict through debate is a powerful means of revealing truth.

Students need to learn how to think critically, how to argue opposing ideas. It is important for them to learn how to think. You can always cook.

One must dig deeply into opposing points of view in order to know whether your own position remains defensible. Iron sharpens iron.

I love arguing. I always say that I'll never win a physical battle, but I can always win a mental battle. I mean, not really, because I never really argue with anyone.

I am bound to furnish my antagonists with arguments, but not with comprehension.

Ideas never quite exist for him until they have been pitted against something else.

Though we cannot out-vote them we will out-argue them.

History is the greatest of dialecticians.

There are truths to be discovered, but they are complex and many-sided; the best way to get to them is by engaging contrary ideas in a manner approximating dialogue.

I love being challenged and defending my positions and, when I'm wrong, learning from the exchange. It makes me smarter and better as a businessperson.

I write plays because writing dialogue is the only respectable way of contradicting yourself. I put a position, rebut it, refute the rebuttal, and rebut the refutation.

I was on the debate team.

As a Jew, I believe that every argument has a counterargument.

I'm a fan of robust debate, and I'm not averse to engaging in the odd ad hominem attack myself.

I tend to solicit opinions from all those around me. I like to hear opinions and the rationale behind it from everybody in the room. Perhaps it's the result of going to law school and using the Socratic method.