I've Learned to Avoid Useless Arguments

Maybe it’s due to maturity, age, or even resignation, but at some point, everyone realizes that some arguments aren’t worth it. At that point, people prefer to opt for silence and smile, without fully giving in. They understand that there’s no point giving explanations to someone who doesn’t want to understand.

It’s often said that arguing is an art where everybody can say words, but nobody can make the final judgment. But in reality, the problem goes much further than that. Sometimes arguments are like a musical score where the music is has no tune. People don’t always listen, and everybody wants to be the lead singer. And it can be exhausting.

The good thing is that psychology and philosophy have taught us certain strategies to come away from any argument lighthearted. Good arguments include the use of heuristics and proper emotional management. But what if what you’re really looking for is to avoid certain arguments that you feel you’ve already lost before they even started?

Let’s think about it.

Arguments that don’t matter

Maturity isn’t dependent on age, but rather on arriving at that personal stage where you don’t want to deceive yourself anymore. Where you start to fight for an internal balance, watch your words, respect what you hear, and reflect on everything you choose to keep silent. This is when you become aware of what deserves your effort and what you should distance yourself from.

For example, say your relationship with a close family member was complicated a few years ago, such that having a simple conversation was like falling without a parachute into an abyss of stress, arguments, and negativity. Now, however, all that has changed, and it’s not because your relationship has improved, but because you’ve accepted each other’s differences. You’ve opted for respectful silence, without letting them win or giving into them.

Eran Halperin is an Israeli psychologist who specializes in arguments and conflict resolution in the field of politics. But his theories can be applied to everyday life. As he explains, complicated and heated arguments involve “threats” as a psychological component, the sensation that somebody is trying to hurt you or your principles.

Maturity also involves having the inner confidence to consider that certain people and their arguments are not a threat to you. Somebody who might have unnerved you before with their words doesn’t make you afraid or angry anymore. Respect, acceptance of the other person, and self-esteem are your best allies.

The art of arguing intelligently

You know that there are certain arguments you won’t lose your cool or energy over. But you also know that life is all about negotiating almost every day so you can coexist in harmony, maintain your relationships, achieve your goals at work, and even reach agreements with your own children. Arguments are not exempt from any of these areas of life.

The art of arguing intelligently without any side effects requires not only a good strategy, but also proper emotional management, which we should all know how to do.

One of the main things to keep in mind is that arguments don’t always need to end with a winner. The art of arguing effectively requires having the subtle wisdom to allow both parties to meet in the middle, to reach some sort of understanding. This can only be achieved in the following way:

• Listening instead of just hearing. No dialogue would be effective if we weren’t capable of listening with empathy.
• The powerful ability to understand the other person’s perspective. This takes a lot of effort and a strong will, but understanding the message and particular viewpoint of the other person is essential.
• Avoid getting defensive. Here again is the idea proposed by Eran Halperin: the moment you start to feel threatened, the argument turns aggressive, people put up walls, and understanding is out the window.
• Self-control. It’s essential to properly manage your emotions, especially those like anger and rage. They’re ticking time bombs that like to show up in all arguments.
• Trust. It’s important to trust that you will finally understand each other. But for that to happen, you have to be willing to do so, and you have to be respectful. Use phrases like “I understand,” “I know that’s true,” and “that’s possible.” These are all doors to understanding, towards meeting in the middle, where both can win.

Because arguments that are worth having are the ones that allow you to arrive at an agreement where you can coexist together in a balanced and happy way.