Self-improvement books do more harm than good

Rebuttals: I will respond to my opponent within their existing format. Overview A1: Self-Improvement incapacitates the reader Incapacitate: “to make (someone or something) unable to work, move, or function in the usual way”(1) As people we are creatures that have the ability to act or to be acted upon. Inanimate objects such as books, rocks, beds, etc do not act upon us. Therefore a book cannot “make” a reader do anything. Or keep them from doing something. Therefore a self-improvement book cannot incapacitate a reader. 1a: Necessary degrading Pro says “Nobody buys a self-improvement on a topic of which they think they have nothing to improve.” This is a truism… is there a person that could not improve? Pro says “nobody writes a self-help book on a topic of which one thinks nobody needs improving.” Sure, also a truism. “self-help doesn’t only degrade the reader in the author-reader relationship but often also in comparison to the rest of the society.” Acknowledging that one needs help or improvement is not inherently degrading. Degrading: “to treat (someone or something) poorly and without respect”(2) If acknowledging a weakness is degrading, than everyone is degraded. Thus nobody is degraded. This argument includes the word Necessary. Necessary: “so important that you must do it or have it : absolutely needed” (3) My opponent suggests that it Is “degrading” to say improvement is needed. If that were true it must be more helpful than harmful. 1b: Lowers ability to help yourself Pro says “They do the opposite by giving you the (fishy) solution. You never learn how to help yourself nor how to develop a strategy to resolve your issues.” I invite pro to show the difference between teaching a man to fish, and a self-help book. Pro says “The more you rely on pre-phrased solutions the more you slip into a resolving strategy that doesn’t involve you doing any relevant thinking. That likely contributes to the explanation why 80% percent of the self-help-readers are repeat buyers .” I contend that an 80% repeat buyer rate is an indication that those who buy and read these books must feel that the books have done more help than harm. Pro says “The semantic problem that what it seems to say and what it does are effective opposites makes it difficult for the reader to become aware of this process of increasing dependency.” I invite pro to substantiate this claim and show a correlation of reading self-help books and dependency. 1c: Analysis Paralysis Analysis Paralysis is not directly linked to self-help books. This is the paradox of choice argument. “The Paradox of Choice - Why More Is Less is a 2004 book by American psychologist Barry Schwartz. In the book, Schwartz argues that eliminating consumer choices can greatly reduce anxiety for shoppers.” (4) This would indicate that too many choices can cause anxiety, or that too much information can cause stress. This is an independent problem not related to Self-help books themselves. A2: Genre problems Pro says “Self-help and self-improvement are an own genre. One of the most successful genre currently.” This would indicate, again, that those buying the books feel that more good than harm is done. 2a: Relevance of scientific validity “For self-improvement books you don’t need to work scientifically correct. And you don’t have to tell your reader that you’re book is not reviewed and edited in that way.” Sure this is true… depending on the sub-genre. Self-help books tend to have a disclaimer. Here is an example “The information provided in this book is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. This book is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. The publisher and author are not responsible for any specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision and are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation, to any person reading or following the information in this book. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any websites or other sources. Readers should be aware that the websites listed in this book may change.”(5) “With a society that is often prone to rush to litigation, the use of legal disclaimers in books have grown in popularity and are often strongly recommended. These disclaimers are suitable when your book offers health, fitness, diet, or financial advice. They also serve to protect the author and the publisher against liability when their book’s topic might invade someone’s privacy or result in a claim of defamation. In addition, when you provide instructional information or advice, it’s a good idea to protect yourself and your product from being held liable for the results achieved from their use or implementation.”(5) Pro says “He (the reader) is encouraged to believe blindly in some-thing that he should approach critically.” Again books do not make people do anything. I book cannot make someone believe blindly, or dismiss their own critical thinking. They, themselves, as readers may make that decision. Such a decision is not a books fault, nor could it be. 2b: Ideologies in subtext Pro says “Already the concept that only a productive and successful person is worthy person is a worldview that may cause damage (with its performance pressure) on those already depressed, young and/ or with self-esteem issues.” Contrary to the “harm” my opponent wants to pin of self-help books, Studies have shown self-help books to be helpful in treating depression. (6) 2c: Business Circle Pro argues that “the self-improvement market has nothing from people that actually resolve their problem and learn how to transfer that method onto other personal problems. Because that would make them no longer customers. “ This is an appeal to motive and as such is a fallacious argument. (7) My opponent is suggesting that because Self-help authors have a vested interest in selling books, they do not really want to help their readers and only write books to make money. “A common feature of appeals to motive is that only the possibility of a motive (however small) is shown, without showing the motive actually existed or, if the motive did exist, that the motive played a role in forming the argument and its conclusion. Indeed, it is often assumed that the mere possibility of motive is evidence enough.” This argument is dismissed as a fallacy. Conclusion Round 2 Rebuttal: Aspect 1: Self-Improvement incapacitates the reader 1a: Necessary degrading: Negated. 1b: Lowers ability to help yourself: Needs sources, and clarification 1c: Analysis Paralysis: Negated. Books, or any inanimate object cannot incapacitate anything. If something is necessary, it must be more helpful than harmful. I contend that an 80% repeat buyer rate is an indication that those who buy and read these books feel that the books have done more help than harm. Analysis Paralysis is an independent problem not related to Self-help books themselves. Aspect 2: Genre problems 2a: Relevance of scientific validity: true but negated as not harmful due to disclaimers. 2b: Ideologies in subtext: Negated 2c: Business Circle: Negated Self-help books tend to have a disclaimer due to possibly being liable for application of the authors work. Self-help books have been known to help treat depression. The business argument is a logical fallacy and dismissed as such. Arguments: Burden of proof: My opponents resolve is “Self-Improvement books do more harm than good.” As my opponent is pro it is his burden to prove 1. Self-Improvement Books do harm 2. Such harm is greater than the good. Thus far no harm has been substantiated. Sources have shown that self-help books are effective at treating depression. With an 80% repeat buyer rate, it is clear that those buying the books feel the good far outweigh any potential harm. According to my opponent’s source Self-help is the bestselling genre of book sells. This suggests such books are good for the economy. (1) http://www.merriam-webster.com... (2) http://www.merriam-webster.com... (3) http://www.merriam-webster.com... (4) http://en.wikipedia.org... (5) http://www.aliciadunams.com... (6) http://www.bbc.com... (7) http://en.wikipedia.org...