principle of charity
The principle of charity is the social ritual of interpreting others’ statements in the most benevolent and rational way possible. Yet it often masks a desire to showcase one’s own argument as superior. In debates, it parades as genuine understanding while secretly fortifying one’s stance through elegant distortion. The absurdity of this principle shines through only when the purportedly generous interpretation proves opposite. What appears as noble logic is often the ultimate tactic for winning.