Win Every Argument audiobook cover - The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking

Win Every Argument

The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking

Mehdi Hasan

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Communication SkillsPsychologyPhilosophy

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Win Every Argument
The Value of Arguing+
Aristotle's Modes of Persuasion+
The Role of Emotion+
The Power of Storytelling+
Strategic Ad Hominem+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 5
What is the core philosophical and practical value of arguing, according to the text?
  • A. It guarantees that the most logically sound argument will always defeat emotional manipulation.
  • B. It exposes us to new ideas, helps us arrive at the truth, and serves as a valuable soft skill for career advancement.
  • C. It allows individuals to dominate their opponents and establish unassailable political power.
  • D. It proves that objective facts are inherently more persuasive than subjective human feelings.
Question 2 of 5
According to the text, what is the most effective relationship between pathos (emotion) and logos (reason) in a debate?
  • A. Pathos should be avoided entirely because it distracts audiences from the objective truth of logos.
  • B. Logos should be used exclusively to build credibility, while pathos is used to deceive the audience.
  • C. Pathos acts as the best vehicle to deliver logos, because audiences often need an emotional connection to accept facts.
  • D. Pathos and logos are strictly separate pursuits that contradict one another in public discourse.
Question 3 of 5
What did neuroscientist Antonio Damasio conclude about people who suffered damage to the emotional processing centers of their brains?
  • A. They became highly rational decision-makers who relied purely on flawless logic.
  • B. They struggled to make decisions because without feelings, their decision-making landscape became 'hopelessly flat.'
  • C. They were easily manipulated by ad hominem attacks and rhetorical fallacies.
  • D. They replaced emotional processing with an increased reliance on storytelling and anecdotes.
Question 4 of 5
Based on Deborah Small's study mentioned in the text, why are people more likely to donate to a charity when told a story about a single, identifiable child?
  • A. Because a concrete, personal narrative lights up the emotional regions of the brain that handle empathy.
  • B. Because people are naturally skeptical of large numbers and assume statistical data is fabricated.
  • C. Because focusing on one individual removes the moral obligation to help the millions of others suffering.
  • D. Because stories about single individuals rely heavily on logos, which is the most persuasive rhetorical mode.
Question 5 of 5
How does Mehdi Hasan view the use of ad hominem (attacking the person) arguments in a debate?
  • A. They should be completely avoided because they are logical fallacies that undermine the integrity of a debate.
  • B. They should be the primary strategy used, as demonstrated by the success of modern political campaigns.
  • C. They are only acceptable to use defensively if your opponent has already attacked your credibility first.
  • D. They are legitimate rhetorical moves when used in appropriate contexts, such as exposing hypocrisy or conflicts of interest.

Win Every Argument — Full Chapter Overview

Win Every Argument Summary & Overview

Win Every Argument (2023) is a guide to the art of argument by one of the world’s most combative debaters: journalist, anchor, and writer Mehdi Hasan. Drawing on ancient theories of persuasion, neuroscientific theories of cognition, and the rhetorical tricks of contemporary politicians, Hasan reveals the secrets to winning arguments in today’s post-factual world.

Who Should Listen to Win Every Argument?

  • Natural-born arguers and debaters
  • Anyone interested in the art of persuasion
  • Public speakers and politicos

About the Author: Mehdi Hasan

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British American journalist, anchor, and author. He’s the host of The Mehdi Hasan Show on MSNBC and a regular contributor to newspapers including the New York Times and the Washington Post. Hasan is a former political editor of the New Statesman and a former columnist for the Intercept. Win Every Argument is his second book. 

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