Ask what they're measuring by
'Best' by what?
Most disagreements are two people using one word to mean two things. 'Best film', 'good leader', 'fair share' — before you argue the pick, ask for the criteria. Half the time the argument dissolves; the other half you now know exactly what you're arguing about.
Instead of
No way, that's not even top ten.
Try
Best by what — most rewatchable, most influential, or the one you'd show someone who's never seen a film?
Try it today
The next time someone says something is the best or worst, ask 'by what measure?' before you disagree.
The science
Most verbal disputes are about definitions — a point made by philosophers from Locke to David Chalmers ('Verbal Disputes', 2011): fix the criteria and the substantive question appears.
Where you'd actually use it
- 🎬 Culture & Hot TakesThe under-16 social media ban has come up and someone's made the practical objection. Argue for the ban — with the objection in mi…
- 🎬 Culture & Hot TakesThe dumbest argument in the world, which is exactly why it's a great drill: defend pineapple on pizza with real structure — a clai…
Next lesson
- 🎒 Know whose job it is to prove itThe person making the claim carries the bag.
- 1️⃣ One number, not fiveNobody has ever changed their mind under a pile of statistics.
- 🤝 Concede the true part firstGive away what's true and you get to keep everything else.