Graham

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 Paul Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement is a concept proposed in his 2008 essay "How to Disagree"[1][2]. It categorizes different levels of disagreement, ranging from least to most effective:

1. DH0: Name-calling

2. DH1: Ad Hominem

3. DH2: Responding to tone

4. DH3: Contradiction

5. DH4: Counterargument

6. DH5: Refutation

7. DH6: Refuting the central point

The hierarchy aims to help people make better arguments and have more constructive disagreements[1]. The lower levels (DH0-DH3) are considered fallacious or weak forms of disagreement, while the upper levels (DH4-DH6) are seen as more productive and convincing[1][6].

## Recent work on similar concepts

1. Slate Star Codex: In 2018, Scott Alexander wrote "Varieties of Argumentative Experience," which expands on Graham's hierarchy by considering different types of arguments and their connections to provable or refutable points[2].

2. Ingrid Taylar: In 2013, Taylar discussed the hierarchy and presented alternative viewpoints on its methodology[4].

3. Lisa McNulty: In 2024, McNulty wrote "How to Disagree with 'How to Disagree'," which critically examines Graham's hierarchy and its implications[8].

4. Xen Project: The open-source project has incorporated Graham's hierarchy into its governance documentation, emphasizing the use of only the top half of the hierarchy in their community discussions[7].

These examples show that Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement continues to influence discussions on effective communication and argumentation in various fields, from software development to philosophy.

Citations:

[1] https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_disagreement

[2] https://slatestarcodex.com/2018/05/08/varieties-of-argumentative-experience/

[3] https://sproutsschools.com/grahams-hierarchy-of-disagreement/

[4] https://www.ingridtaylar.com/the-hierarchy-of-disagreement/

[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jq-givtdqA

[6] https://themindcollection.com/revisiting-grahams-hierarchy-of-disagreement/

[7] http://xenbits.xenproject.org/governance/resolving-disagreement.html

[8] https://www.lisamcnulty.co.uk/essays/how-to-disagree-with-how-to-disagree-part-1

[9] https://www.organizingcreativity.com/2014/04/hierarchy-of-agreement/

Applying Paul Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement in everyday conversations can significantly improve the quality of your discussions and help you engage in more constructive debates. Here are some practical ways to implement this concept:

## Recognize and Avoid Lower-Level Disagreements

1. Be aware of name-calling and ad hominem attacks. Refrain from using personal insults or attacking someone's character instead of their arguments[1].

2. Don't get caught up in responding to tone. Focus on the content of the argument rather than how it's delivered[2].

3. Avoid simple contradiction without supporting evidence. Instead, strive to provide reasons for your disagreement[3].

## Aim for Higher-Level Disagreements

1. Use counterarguments: When you disagree, offer an opposing case with evidence and reasoning[2].

2. Practice refutation: Quote the specific point you're addressing and explain why it's flawed. This requires more effort but is more convincing[2].

3. Refute the central point: Identify and address the core argument of the other person's position. This is the most effective form of disagreement[2].

## Improve Your Conversational Skills

1. Practice active listening: Before expressing your opinion, carefully listen to what others have to say. This helps you understand their perspective and formulate better responses[1].

2. Provide evidence: When disagreeing, support your arguments with facts, examples, or logical reasoning[3].

3. Stay focused: Ensure you're addressing the actual point of contention and not arguing about different things[2].

4. Be open-minded: Be willing to question your own beliefs and consider alternative viewpoints[1].

## Benefits of Applying the Hierarchy

1. Enhanced evaluation: The hierarchy helps you assess the quality of arguments you encounter, allowing you to spot intellectually dishonest or weak reasoning[4].

2. Richer conversations: By focusing on higher-level disagreements, you can have more productive and meaningful discussions[4].

3. Improved relationships: Using respectful and well-reasoned disagreement can lead to more positive interactions and potentially make you happier in your conversations[4].

By consciously applying Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement in your daily interactions, you can elevate the quality of your conversations, resolve conflicts more effectively, and foster an environment of constructive dialogue[1].

Citations:

[1] https://www.mentesabiertaspsicologia.com/blog-psicologia/paul-graham-s-hierarchy-of-argumentative-quality

[2] https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/how-to-disagree-well-7-of-the-best-and-worst-ways-to-argue/

[3] https://www.godyears.net/2018/04/the-disagreement-hierarchy-how-do-you.html?m=1

[4] https://sproutsschools.com/grahams-hierarchy-of-disagreement/

[5] https://conversational-leadership.net/disagree-well/

[6] https://themindcollection.com/revisiting-grahams-hierarchy-of-disagreement/