How to Win an Argument With a Fool (and Strengthen Your Mind)

Galileo Galilei is often recognized as the father of modern science. He lived from 1564 to 1642, and has made impressive contributions to our understanding of physics, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. One of his most famous contributions was his improvements to the telescope, which led him to observe Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, Venus’s phases, and the moon’s surface. This invention fueled his heliocentric beliefs, which made him an enemy of the Catholic Church who upheld geocentricism. Galilei was eventually forced to recant his statements and live under house arrest. Today, Galilei is seen as an inspiration to hold true to one’s beliefs despite doubt and hostility. So it’s ironic that a man renowned for his philosophy and intellectualism has a logical fallacy named after him.

The Galileo Fallacy

According to History, Galilei’s “penchant for thoughtful and inventive experimentation pushed the scientific method toward its modern form.” However, the Galileo defense, like most logical fallacies, relies on the thoughtlessness of the arguer and listener. It highlights the story of Galilei speaking truth despite persecution, and claims that because an idea is mocked or forbidden, it must be true or at least credible. For instance, a person may make a ridiculous claim, and when it’s shot down, they argue that Galileo was seen as ridiculous and turned out to be right, so there must be truth in their claim. They are essentially using the story of Galileo to attack their opposition and make them question their own skepticism. Keep in mind, the Galileo fallacy doesn’t always include the man himself.

The fallacy doesn’t apply in situations where people are using success stories to inspire others to try new or intimidating ventures. But it’s important to note that one person’s achievement is far from a guarantee that anyone else will succeed as well. Author Bo Bennett, PhD, hilariously summarizes the fallacy on Logically Fallacious: “Remember that for every Galileo, there are millions of cranks, quacks, and wackos, and statistically speaking, those who use the Galileo defense are one of the latter.” Galileo Galilei spent his life arguing against ignorance and was eventually imprisoned in his home because of his statements. However, his most famous quotes don’t express bitterness toward the people around him. Rather, they are about staying curious, being open to learning, becoming self-aware, and being unbothered by people who say you’re wrong. Despite having a logical fallacy named after him, Galilei’s insights teach how to avoid false assumptions and inconsistency with our own thinking.

Words of Advice From Galileo Galilei

Discover Magazine compiled some of Galilei’s most thought-provoking quotes and advice, and one seems to summarize his famous quarrel: “In the sciences, the authority of thousands of opinions is not worth as much as one tiny spark of reason in an individual man.” Galilei’s contemporary scholars often deferred to higher authorities, such as the teachings of Aristotle, who promoted geocentricism. This was partially why Galilei’s theories were heretical to religious leaders who also maintained Aristotelian orthodoxy. However, in this quote, Galilei rejects the idea of blindly following authority or consensus. Scientific discoveries require creativity and independent reasoning. So, he encourages people to think for themselves, investigate the evidence, and come to their own conclusions. Popular opinions aren’t always correct, and remember, unpopular opinions also aren’t always correct. 

Building Logical Reasoning and Self-Awareness

“By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox,” Galilei famously criticized Aristotelian orthodoxy. Aside from his evidence of heliocentrisms, he is renowned for his experiments in dynamics, which were later codified by Isaac Newton’s laws of motion. Galilei’s experiments opposed Aristotle’s claim that heavier objects fall faster, and proved that all things fall uniformly. He believed his observations over the spoken status quo, and this outlook helped him maintain consistent beliefs. Consistency is an important facet of intellect, but it can be difficult to maintain. People may suffer from cognitive dissonance when they have conflicting beliefs or act in contradiction to their values. This leads them to subconsciously change their beliefs in order to justify their behavior. They may follow a “do as I say, not as I do” creed. In other words, they are living a paradox by denying the facts in front of them.

Although Galilei’s quote is not about cognitive dissonance (which is a psychological theory developed in the 1950s), it can encourage self-reflection for people who want to live by true “scientific principles” but are struggling with an inner paradox. One cannot convincingly debate and influence others if their internal mind is in conflict. At the same time, look out for logical inconsistencies in others. Seeing how others lie to themselves can illuminate how you do the same to yourself.

Teach the Uneducated and Learn From Them

One of Galilei’s most famous quotes is: “You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him to find it within himself.” This ideology might be how he maintained his integrity despite relentless persecution. You may have had the experience of trying to give good advice to someone determined to do the opposite. Or they may stay unflinchingly convinced of a myth, no matter how many facts and evidence you present to them. Instead of taking the refusal personally, remember that some arguments only push people farther away. The other person needs to be open to listen, and if they aren’t, don’t exert yourself trying to educate them. And on the flipside, be open to others who are trying to teach you something. You may later reflect on their words and find they resonate with you.

With that being said, learning from others is one of the best ways of becoming more intelligent. And that includes people from different cultures and backgrounds, those across the IQ spectrum, individuals you fundamentally disagree with, and utter fools. Despite all of his success and accolades, Galileo Galilei kept a level of humility that allowed him to connect with others and further build his wisdom. As he once said: “I have never met a man so ignorant that I could not learn something from him.”

Read More: 11 Brilliant Phrases That Instantly End Pointless Arguments