Does name-calling indicate a lack of intelligence?

[Anonymous]

I notice that a lot of people who for one reason or another disagree with someone's opinion, resort to name-calling and insults, rather than attempt to persuade someone to take their side through the use of evidence and a solid method of argument. Just today I posted a question pertaining to types of guys and all of a sudden some guy claiming to be in his 50's started calling me names like "stupid" and saying that everyone should avoid me simply because I expressed my dislike for men of this particular group. This guy didn't even realize I used an analogy and claimed that I plagiarized my responses to him lol.

As for me, I would never curse someone out simply for disagreeing with me or for thinking that their ideas are ridiculous. I believe that there are better was to show someone that they are not thinking smartly. What do you think?

[D_Bone_Steak]

Name calling is the lowest form of argument skills possible. Ad hominem attacks is the step up from that and that is a complete argumental fallacy... so with that said, if you're skills in argument include and preclude to using the lowest hanging fruits of argument (like force for the violent types) then I'd suspect you're not about to refute the central point of my argument with evidence or a structured counter argument.

In short... either a lack of intelligence or he's trolling you for fun. Fart jokes are still funny after all as well as name-calling. You can sort of tell the difference though when it's being done out of sheer anger and lack of better words. It's like nigga with a hard 'r'... it's a guttural response with intentions to offend you at a base level.

[Adam_INTJ]

It most often indicates that they don't have any good information left to provide/ they're wrong, or that they're just mad and having a bad day.

Intelligence, maybe, because unintelligent people often don't have good information to provide, but intelligent people can run out of things to say as well.

[mak_1]

Not always. Sometimes people have really great points but may be too frustrated with someone’s opinion to communicate their stance effectively, or think that something is so obvious (or ridiculous) that the person only brought It up to incite a reaction. Other times of course, they have nothing to say with any factual standing so they make emotional arguments where they try to personally attack the opinion holder.

[Sienna-Rose]

Yeah I completely agree. I enjoy a good debate for the sake of sharing interesting theories and view points with opportunity for each to learn, but there are a lot of people here that would rather let their egos get in the way of anything relevant or worthwhile which speaks for itself.

[Mexicoman101]

It depends. Sometimes it indicates someones passionate about something. I think it only indicates poor intelligence when you insult someone & call them names without addressing their actual argument. If someone says something vitriolic & racist to me i'm certainly going to contradict their point but I have no reproach in calling someone like that a retard or something.

[Sol1nvictus]

I guess not. It just shows a lack of self control and education. Do not debate with these people, it's a loss of time.

[TripleAce]

I think being spiteful and petty... indicates a lack of intelligence...
not empirically (I don't know)... just personal observance

[TripleAce]

I mean spiteful about petty things...
lol
cause ones that are smart just don't have time to think about such things

[rpgkira]

It's because they don't teach people how to debate in high school. People are more worried about being politically correct and offending others then facts it's almost sad

[Partywithtom]

People can't handle when their beliefs are challenged. The dumb people, most people, then resort to trying to discredit you by attacking instead of counter points.

[ryancg]

Yeah, I'd say so. Or at least, it certainly makes the person look less intelligent and immature. I only ever call someone an insulting name when they've truly earned it

[MasterAdvice]

Yes of course. If you can't argue logically and go ad hominem, then it only means you're out of knowledge and do not know how to argue properly.

[Trumpster666]

I see it here all the time when a person is losing an argument or if your opinions differ from their own.

[JiminyMooMoo98]

Dumb people annoy me and being an Aussie you know a cunts about to be called one.

[NormaTavish]

No, its usually a sign off frustration..

[Sha84]

generally speaking that is the truth

[mactallica]

No really immaturity maybe.

[Bigdaddyslim01]

No it can be an instant reaction to stupidity

[jacquesvol]

A lack of verbal intelligence , certainly.

[TheIceCreamQueen]

No it's just funny

[Guyofallguys2]

Depends.

[CT_CD]

Yeah