The Ludovican Principle

Never defend an idea from criticism. Strengthen it by exposing it to the strongest criticism you can honestly imagine. If it survives, trust it more. If it does not, thank the criticism and build again.

Ideas are not diminished by honest criticism. They are diminished only by being protected from it.

The purpose of philosophy is not to make our conclusions untouchable. It is to make them increasingly worthy of trust. Every objection sincerely offered is an opportunity to discover whether we have mistaken confidence for understanding. When an idea survives its strongest critics, our confidence in it may grow. When it does not, the criticism has done us a greater service than agreement ever could.

The goal, therefore, is not to win arguments. It is to become less mistaken.