How does one increase control, especially if they are young like my kids Mila (8) and Lennon (6). When we don't get what we want, we tend to get frustrated, emotional, and throw tantrums. The author states that if we can learn to argue effectively, that is, use reason and justification for our beliefs, we might be able to exert more control over our environment. The author using the following example: his son wanted to wear shorts to school in the middle of winter. The dad said no because pants help legs from getting chapped; the son responded logically by saying they are his legs and he wants to wear the shorts and will accept the consequences. The dad said he would look stupid with shorts on in the winter; the son responded that he likes the way it looks and doesn't care what people think. The father eventually relented, and the son's teacher declared Short Day on his birthday. In short, by using reason to address the father's concern, the son ended up getting what he wanted and avoided frustration.
Two similarities to Socrates:
1) Socrates used a rational method to try to determine whether a thing is true or not, which is the idea of finding counter examples to revise a thesis, until it cannot be revised any further. If a thesis cannot be revised, then it is said to be justified. The author says that if one can provide reasons for what one believes, then it is said to be justified and hence more likely to be believed by others.
2) Both Socrates and the author claim that thinking is egalitarian, which means that it is everyone's responsibility to think and justify their beliefs.
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