[Discussion] [Tutorial] Proof Guy Style - Statement Breaker

[Mr Hiru]

Good night people. I'd like to share with you the policy in my sig.

You tell a fact when you have definite proof, you have a possibility when your reasoning is valid but you don't have definite proof, and your possibility can be discarded when there is definite proof against it.

So, in order to be able to follow it (for those who are interested, of course). So, segregating the policy, we have three parts.

1. You tell a fact when you have definite proof
   
2. You have a possibility when your reasoning is valid but you don't have definite proof
   
3. Your possibility can be discarded when there is definite proof against it.

Today I'll show you the third one: How to break statement/theories.

The policy says: "Your possibility (or your target's possibility) can be discarded when there is definite proof against it".

Of course, 'proof' is what we know as a tangible fact, an explicit source that supports a statement. Take in mind that this source must be explicit, it can't be a deduction.

Definite proof is an undeniable fact from the source that closes every hole of an argument. In the case of this forum (Naruto) the source is the Manga, and the Databooks as last resort (since the Databooks were written by Kishimoto as well).

So, when you start reading a theory, what you really read is a 'list of statements', and you can start discussing making your own list of statements, which can be supportive or counter-argumentative.

The fun part (the reason of this thread) are the counter-arguments. You can have your battle of wits against the creator of a theory, and the steps to follow are simple:

1. Read the theory lightly
2. Create a summary in general terms
3. Point out each statement of the theory
4. From these statements, separate 'facts/proof' from 'speculation'
5. Analyze each speculative statement, and find in the source if these arguments can be countered with proof against each of them.

I don't recommend discussing against supported statements UNLESS there are contradictions, in which case we would be in front of a plot hole. In this case, this is a dead-end of a discussion and therefore the statement in discussion becomes a possibilty (but not a fact).

The key to break the theory is to find the most important speculation inside it and find a way to counter it with definite proof!

For instance, let's say I made a theory with the following statements:

Facts/Proofs:

1. Manga (chapter A) states: a = 1
2. Manga (chapter A) states: b = 2

Speculation:

1. a + b = 3

And time after:

1. Manga (chapter E) states: We are using the ternary numeral system!

So in the end...

1. a + b = 10

And if someone discover this, my theory has been broken!

(there are some methods like Reductio ad Absurdum, I would recommend to read about this one... there are a lot of methods to put a good discussion).

 

[UchihaKira]

Didnt read all of it, I dont even really understand how you took up so much space explaining something so simple xD. I completely agree though