The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1952-08-15
Just Among Ourselves
Passing Comment Considered or lneonsidsrsts

The art of argument perhaps one should say
the art of discussion is one that has few masters
in day. II there are masters they keep in hiding
TVS selected experts who keep us posted or reveal
the unimpressive relations of author and critic are
something less than inspirting. And statesmen,-
or politleanswho enter the lists of public discus
sion are shfty welterweights dancing about
in quest of an opening; they exhibit rapid footwork
but land no telling blows
When the specialist can get at a typewriter to do
a boxed-in column for one OF the reviews, he is
wonderful indeed But this is bag punching The
opponent is merely imaginary person. and his
arguments are not his own; they are the specialists
way of interpreting them The specialist is in the
advantageous position of fighter who sets up his
lnanimate opponent for a knockdown. The punch
ing bag takes many waop from the specialists.
Unilateral discussion is powerful stuff
But unilatera discussion is not discussion 1t is
exposition of a biased and unreliable kind True dis
cussion comes when mind meets mind and both
stay on the subject And this sort of discussion is
art This is the art that markedly absent in this
our glorious day.
Now there are more names for discussion and
more abortive attempts TO produce discussion in
day than in any other day perhaps Confer
ences clinics, forums workshops, panel discussions
round tables and common bull sessions are going
on all the time But all of these certainly of
very low and imperfect order, if we are to Judge by
the samples we are furnished by radio and TV as
we'll as by actual meetings for debate Many ques-
ton is raised Few answered Few are even held
squarely under the attention of the disputants for
five minutes together
If there is any choice among diSputants the
BOBBY prize should 90 TO the lad who employs no
argument except list of authors He strives to
overpower opponent by citing authorities. The
force of argument is not directed to he proving of
the point at issue; it is turned against the qualifi-
cations of the opponent The BOBBY prize is con
stantly asking, Have you read ?" He wishes
TO indicate that the opponent is unworthy Of his
steel because he has not read two dozen books on
every phase of the point Of any that is under dis
cussion.
Now the old business of swearing by the word
of master has its place and value But the mere
listing of authors books has neither place nor
value in sane discussion. Manifesty, il is an open
door to the charatan. For what is to prevent man
bent mpressing all hearers with his ponderous
learning from citing any names that come to mind,
whether they names of authorities or not?
II is important here to pause and consider that
there are two distinct types Of argument: argument
about established truths and argument about opin
ions The Latins used to say there is arguing with
cusson argument art may be used in
establishing truths or facts, In manfesting TO
the unknowing the existence of such truths or
facts But discussion is usually matching of opin-
ions And the point here is that opinions not
bosered proved to be of value by the mere piling
up of names of men or of books The value of opin-
IN is the weight of reason that lies behind il, not
the weight of tones read by the disputant
The fair disputant does not merely ask his oppon-
ent whether he has read SmitherS or jenkins. He
tells what Smithers or jenkins have said and why
they said it, Or,-more chariably so that the OPP
ponents lack of reading may not be insultingly
thrown in his face, the fair disputant puts
the opinion OF SmIthers or Jenkins in his own
words and then allows his opponent to do what he
10 confute IT, But the current fashion is for the
disputant tbooby prize NAM to overwhelm seek
to overwhelm, the poor opponent by running through
litany of proper names.
All this is expressed in a baIlade done by some
neglected poet Of the current century not likely to
be known beyond IT, Let quote:
BALLADE or BooR
old Boresby is Cultured Lad
(The upper case initial kind,
His countenance is wan and sad
When he encounters common mind
To be informed 10 be refined
Is all his purpose dt is said);
He often asks with nose inclined
"Ah, yes | sec, but have you read ?"
Let him be booked in Dunciad
As dolt as oaf sodden hind
Who plays tho intellectual cad
And foisS his reading on mankind
With lofty mien and air designed
To make his hearers all fall dead,
And says with fingers ntertwined
"Ah, yes, ! see, but have you read ="
What conversation can be had
When Boresby readily may find
Odd names of Paris or Bagdad
To cripple speech, to thwart, to bind?
GO pitch him on a fork well tined
Who poses so and mods his head
And says, with elephantine rind,
All YES ! see but have you read !?
Enrol -
Prince. what avails il to have dined
Or warsomely with Wallace bled
When Boresby may sneak up behind