An argument crafted from the ground up not to find truth or even to genuinely persuade a neutral party, but to defend your position, justify your actions, or win favor with a specific audience that already agrees with you. Its structure, evidence, and emotional appeals are all tailored for a verdict of "not guilty" from the jury of your own ego or your in-group.
Example: "His email to the boss was a self-serving argument masterpiece. It framed his missed deadline as 'pivoting to ensure quality,' presented his team's work as his own solo 'leadership initiative,' and cast subtle blame on a colleague for 'supply chain delays.' Its purpose wasn't to inform, but to secure a bonus and shield his reputation."
by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026
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