Comment by Cthulhu_
2 days ago
That doesn't refute the comment - "you are wrong" is personal and aimed at the person, "that is not correct" is impersonal and directed at the contents.
This is the complexity of language and communication, but in this case it's pretty clear. "You are wrong" is criticism on and aimed at the person.
Yeah, I don't see it this way. I see it as that "you're always wrong" is criticism and aimed at the person, "you're wrong" (clearly implying "on this") is directed at the contents.
I will agree with you that a short response simply stating that "you are wrong" is aimed at the person - if it isn't supported with the facts, resources and details about why they are wrong.
However - if those details are provided, it is not personal, but just simply factual and shouldn't be considered an insult.
The other complexity is whether or not one is having a debate about something that can be factually quantified, versus something that is just an opinion.