Why can't you argue with idiots?

What are the dangers of arguing with an idiot?

Despite all the innocence, an argument with an idiot may not end very well for you, but not for the idiot, and here's why:

Idiots defend their opinions quite stubbornly, so the argument can continue indefinitely and lead to nothing. Idiots often don’t hear what you say to them at all, and the reason for this is social psychology: if your arguments do not fit into your opponent’s picture of the world, then he will need to make every effort to understand the essence of your words, and idiots are not able to carry out complex cognitive operations, so he won’t be able to understand you. Most likely, you will simply exhaust your nervous system, and the idiot will remain cheerful and cheerful and will be completely ready to continue the argument.
Idiots can be quite aggressive. Seeing resistance, a stupid person, due to his mental development, may consider that the best way out of the conflict is to demonstrate his physical superiority.
Pointlessness. Despite the fact that in a dispute we try to prove a truth that is obvious to us, or at least express our position, the idiot will remain deaf to your efforts. You can endlessly throw pearls in front of pigs, but this will not develop aesthetic feelings in them. In the end, you will simply feel ashamed that you wasted your time and nerves arguing with a stupid person.

Never argue with a fool

The aphorism from Baltasar Gracian in the title is one of my favorites. Another thing is that knowing something and applying knowledge in life are two different things. It doesn't always work out, that is.

And it's strange. After all, it would seem that if a person claims something, or acts in a certain way, then it means that he has certain prerequisites for this. He comes from his life experience and knowledge. He believes that this is what is right to say or do in this situation.

We, assessing actions “from a different perspective”, not understanding a person’s motives, sometimes, not even wanting to know why he does this, rush to label him a “fool”.

He's a fool because he doesn't do it right. We would have done it differently, they say. Those. He's, like, stupid, and we're, like, smarter.

It seems to me quite common for us to label a person “fool” in an area where we are approximately equal. For example, at an intersection a person stood in front of you in the far left lane and did not turn on the turn signal. You think he’ll go straight, you line up behind him, it turns out he’s about to turn. Well, yes, you swear to yourself. Fool, they say. Or you parked at the entrance to the entrance, which made it difficult to squeeze through, but if you couldn’t get through with a sled, you’d curse again. Fool, they say. They'll scratch you or throw a potato into the exhaust pipe. Into the exhaust pipe of a car, I mean.

But there are situations when a person calls people “fools” in situations where he himself is obviously in a more dependent position.

“The doctor is a fool. Treats incorrectly." Well, if you think you are smarter than this doctor, go to the one you trust more.

“The boss is a fool. He is managing it incorrectly." Make an improvement proposal. Most likely, the boss sees the picture from a broader perspective, and you, as a specialist in your specific field, will really find a more optimal option.

“The competition jury are fools! They appreciated so-and-so, but didn’t appreciate me!” Don’t call them names, but rather ask them to clarify why this decision was made. Find out what you should pay attention to in order to take into account your weak points in the next competition.

“The director of the management company is a fool. The quality of services does not correspond to the money we pay for them.” Pick up your documents, call, find out the average prices in the city - if in fact a person made a mistake somewhere, then he will only say “thank you” to you. And all the residents of your house too.

“The administration is fools! Incorrect construction projects are approved. There are fools in the State Duma! They are passing the wrong laws!” I don’t even want to comment here. Let me remind you of the old joke: “In Russia, in fact, there are a lot of smart and responsible people who are capable of governing the country. It’s a pity that most of them work as taxi drivers.”

In general, I am sure that if a person becomes a leader, it is not “for beautiful eyes.” This means that he actually knows and can do more than others who are subordinate to him. And only those equal in status can criticize leaders.

And there is also a rather wise saying: “If a person is smart, negotiate, if a person is a fool, deceive.” But there is no point in arguing.

True, there may still be a situation when a person is actually not a “fool”, but a “scoundrel”... But that’s a completely different story...

“Argue with a person smarter than you: he will defeat you, but you can benefit from your very defeat. Argue with a person of equal intelligence: whoever wins, you will at least experience the pleasure of fighting. Argue with a person of the weakest mind: argue not out of a desire to win, but you can be useful to him. Argue even with a fool! You will gain neither fame nor profit. But why not have fun sometimes!” (Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev)

How to behave when arguing with an idiot?

If an argument could not be avoided, and you are already drawn into a meaningless conversation, then it is best to simply notify the person that you do not have time and it is easier to continue the conversation at another time. You should not show aggression and get angry, since in this case the argument will continue in high tones and will definitely not lead to anything good. Notify your opponent that you are tired of the conversation, offer a compromise option to resolve the problematic issue. The main mistake in an argument is that you decide to continue the argument, with full confidence that your interlocutor is an adequate person and will ultimately understand what you want to say, in this case your disappointment will know no bounds and you will bitterly regret what you started conversation.

Bottom line. You cannot argue with idiots, since this is not even an argument in the full sense, you are simply wasting your energy and eloquence in the “emptiness”, your not very smart opponents will remain with their opinion (idiots almost never change it). It is better to walk away from the argument calmly and with dignity. Now you know why you can't argue with idiots .

Sergey Kalmov

AnonymousFebruary 15, 2014, 10:57 pm

One of my interlocutors, an elderly woman, in response to my statement, which exactly corresponded to the wording in the article, thoughtfully and gently objected to me: “But there are no fools.”
There are only unfortunate ones. Have pity and you won’t judge. “How is it not?!” I began my objection, but stumbled mid-sentence. I thought about it. Something was awakened in me by the remark of an elderly woman who had probably seen a lot of things in her life. Thoughts rustled in my head, I really wanted to argue and convince my interlocutor that there are still fools. And then suddenly a thought came: - What if in this argument I myself will look not quite smart in the eyes of this world-wise woman? After all, she is right in some ways, and maybe even in many respects. And I remembered how a few years ago I argued until I was blue in the face with another woman, whom two higher educations did not prevent from preparing for the end of the world every year, building a house in the wilderness as a refuge from the cataclysm, and even quitting her job just because she was required to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN). After reading some brochures, the certified specialist was sure that the Taxpayer Identification Number was the code of the Antichrist, by which it would be calculated at the time of the end of the world. The wise old woman's remark following the memory of this argument made me feel ashamed of myself. After all, I was the fool in him, because I was arguing not with a stupid person, but with a deeply unhappy person. Happy women do not seek solace in all sorts of brochures, but spend money on completely different things; they do not try to isolate themselves from the traumatic reality with all sorts of horror stories, against the background of which their own troubles already become quite tolerable; happy people live here and now, and do not run away into an illusory world on the verge of absurdity, and they build a house not as a refuge, in which no one can be saved anyway if something happens, but in order to enjoy life in nature with their loved ones. And indeed, the life of this woman in her family turned out to be not at all sweet: despite having an education, she was very dependent on her husband, with whom she was unhappy, and by nature she was not a fighter capable of changing something. So I put on the protective armor from horror stories. And with my argument I tried to destroy this defense of hers. Is it any wonder that a fragile and vulnerable creature, in response to my iron counterarguments, tried desperately to protect its “clothes” from this destruction? After all, my “rightness” and calls to think soberly and logically deprived this woman of the meaning of life that she had invented for herself. And this is almost inhumane. Soberly means telling yourself that you can’t live with this freak who’s ruining her life. Logically, this is when the second follows from the first conclusion: you need to change your life today, without waiting for the end of the world. But she can’t do either the first or the second, because she has three children, because the apartment belongs to the same freak who ruins her life, because she’s no longer young and not pretty, because she’s used to being patient. Is she a fool with all her horror stories, which sound at least strange in the mouth of an adult woman, a qualified specialist? No, I'm not stupid. She is an unhappy person. And this line of thinking can be applied to any encounter with a “fool.” The wise old lady is right. And I decided to forever eliminate the word “fool” from my vocabulary. ReplyDelete

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neXt (2003-04-23 13:46) [0] I read forums, not only this one, sometimes I answer questions, sometimes I argue.
I don’t consider myself a person intolerant of other people’s opinions. I respect my interlocutors, and even if I don’t respect them (well, I don’t know them to respect them), then, in any case, I don’t spit or swear. In general, I think I’m like 90% of normal people on the Internet in this regard. But there is a certain type of post that annoys me. Briefly, a common feature of such posts is narcissistic blind stupidity, ringing in every sentence, the imposition of this stupidity and broadcasting in the “ultimate truth” mode. We are not talking about stupid questions, we are not talking about mistakes or unprofessionalism. I see this kind of controversy, and I feel sorry for people trying to argue with a guy who doesn’t care about other people’s opinions and only listens to himself. It’s not even a matter of the aimlessness of such discussions - most of the non-networked and very smart debates are aimless and have zero results. The fact is that it is infuriating to see a fool who, with a smart look, speaks complete nonsense and foams at the mouth, sometimes quite verbosely, proving that he is right. Even if we delete fifty percent of these posts that I branded as stupid, just because the opinion in them does not coincide with my own. We must understand that we are all human and tend to consider those who disagree with us to be fools. But there are still fifty percent of the replicas that, as they say, “do not fit into any gates.” Everyone understands this, but many continue to argue and change their minds. I myself often “cut into the enemy’s ranks with my saber drawn,” as one of the ancients said. But this is only due to the fact that my nerves give way. I think that many people are familiar with this feeling. I don’t rule out the possibility that someone perceives my posts the same way. So the question is, is it necessary to argue with narcissistic fools? ← →
Mike Kouzmine (2003-04-23 13:48) [1]

Only fools argue with fools (only fools argue in general).
Smart people speak out ← →
Palladin (2003-04-23 13:59) [2]

hmm, anti-dialectics, the truth was never born in the dispute... > is it necessary to argue with narcissistic fools?

I personally cannot say whether it is necessary, but
it is possible
, the most convincing argument: with a hammer on the head (C) Anatoly Podgoretsky because common sense is alien to them.
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Val (2003-04-23 14:00) [3]

hmm, as they say, “who are the judges?”...
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gn (2003-04-23 14:08) [4]

In general, the post is why argue with fools; you don’t need to decamp them, and you need to decamp them in the code so that you discover more glitches in yourself than in Windows 95.
Although I understand that having anything to do with people who claim “that there are only two opinions, one mine and the other is wrong” is simply a waste of time. But in general, it seems to me that it is necessary to argue because truth is born in argument. gn cn 1101 ← →
MsGuns (2003-04-23 14:38) [5]

>Mike Kouzmine © (04/23/03 1:48 pm) >Only fools argue with fools (only fools argue in general). Smart people speak out. They become fools when they begin to see fools in others.
(I don’t remember whose quote) ← →
Lola (2003-04-23 14:45) [6]

There are lovers of argument for the sake of argument, as such.
The spirit of contradiction. ← →
stone (2003-04-23 14:48) [7]

> So the question is, is it necessary to argue with narcissistic fools?

What's the point?
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Igor Shevchenko (2003-04-23 14:50) [8]

Never argue with the fool, people may not see the difference
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Ru (2003-04-23 14:51) [9]

“Argument equalizes smart people and fools, and fools know about it” for some time now, and I know about it...
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MsGuns (2003-04-23 14:59) [10]

Of the two arguing, the one who is smarter is wrong...
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Ru (2003-04-23 15:18) [11]

although on the other hand, find another way to teach a fool something
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Igor Shevchenko (2003-04-23 15:29) [12]

Ru © (23.04.03 15:18) > although on the other hand, find another way to teach something > to a fool

Is it really necessary?
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JibSkeart (2003-04-23 15:34) [13]

no need, what if he does the same thing?
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Mystic (2003-04-23 15:35) [14]

Don't be annoyed.
No one will take away your knowledge. And a fool can often be seen, even if you yourself are not very versed in the area about which the fool is ranting. In general, there is an ancient game - everyone tries to annoy the other. He who gets annoyed loses ← →
Ru (2003-04-23 15:42) [15]

>Igor Shevchenko © (23.04.03 15:29) there are pathological teachers
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Karelin Artem (2003-04-23 15:45) [16]

Only a fool can be absolutely sure of something.
I am completely sure of this. ← →
Val (2003-04-23 16:12) [17]

>Karelin Artem © (23.04.03 15:45) is this a pun, or...?
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ZeroDivide (2003-04-23 16:18) [18]

No no need. There is absolutely no point in arguing, we need to debate. It is also advisable to master rhetoric. For those who don’t know, this is a science. Some advanced schools are now teaching children.
You must be able to debate. ← →
Karelin Artem (2003-04-23 16:26) [19]

Crush everyone with arguments like cockroaches!
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Lola (2003-04-23 16:42) [20]

Discussion

, lat., debate in a meeting on a certain topic (Brockhaus and Efron)
Dispute
, debate (debate), word dispute, bickering, bickering, arguing, infighting, bickering,….
heteroglossia, quarrel, discord; litigation, process, court. Wolf squabble. Exchange of barbs (Dictionary of Russian synonyms) Feel the difference :)) ← →
Sergey Surovtsev (2003-04-23 22:04) [21]

Reasoned debate is normal.
Unlike a discussion, it always involves different points of view and this is often more useful. Another thing is that the arguments must be real and verified, and not be reduced to the formula “a fool is a fool.” Then a lot can come out of such a dispute that can be useful, in addition, often both sides own part of the truth and it is during the dispute that there is a chance to unite them. But this is only on condition that those arguing are honestly looking for this very truth, and are not simply trying to out-shout their opponent. >Igor Shevchenko © (23.04.03 14:50) M... (meaning master), and m..., that means you study Latin here instead of work... (c) Formula of love. ← →
Bad man (2003-04-23 23:33) [22]

> is it necessary to argue with narcissistic fools?
We need to make fun of them while we can... ← →
VEG (2003-04-23 23:53) [23]

Need to!

Otherwise, all the average people will go to fools or stubborn goats!
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Snap (2003-04-24 02:10) [24]

The cartoon OK (S) Masyanya describes the situation with fools very well.
Those who watched will understand me. In my opinion, it’s high time to do something similar to what the cartoon characters did. ← →
anpsoft (2003-04-24 02:44) [25]

>a common feature of such posts is narcissistic blind stupidity, ringing in every sentence, the imposition of this stupidity and broadcasting in the “ultimate truth” mode.
... The fact is that it is infuriating to see a fool who, with a smart look, speaks complete nonsense and foams at the mouth, sometimes quite verbosely, proving that he is right. That's for sure! For example, this is 200% suitable for 1C nicknames in delphi\c++\etc programming forums... or for example, 300% suitable for Ukrainian nationalists in political forums, and there are more examples when foaming at the mouth to prove complete nonsense there is a lot to bring up, but there is one plus - a normal reader will at least get a portion of laughter from everything he reads, the main thing is not to get carried away too much ← →
gn (2003-04-24 05:27) [26]

Why are there a lot of idiots arguing about this topic, but it’s useless to argue, it’s better to ignore
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Ru (2003-04-24 09:53) [27]

>anpsoft (24.04.03 02:44) “How many years have passed, and the headless horseman is still looking for problems for his own head” (c)
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Sha (2003-04-24 09:57) [28]

I am guided by my own feelings: if I want, I answer...
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Vasya Dobry (2003-04-24 10:03) [29]

I answer the question - There’s no point in arguing with me!!! Because I'm fatter!

Aphorisms about disputes

I have never learned anything from someone who agrees with me. Dudley Field Malone

Silence is one of the most difficult arguments to refute. Henry Wheeler Shaw

No one agrees with someone else's opinion - but only with their own when others express it.

We decided not to argue over trifles. Now we are arguing about what counts as trifles.

What causes the most controversy is the unknowable. Mason Cooley

In any dispute, the one who speaks loudest defends the false point of view.

If you are asked: “Do you want to hear my opinion?” – you won’t like this opinion.

Behind every argument is someone's ignorance. Robert Benchley

Many of our smart arguments were ruined by fools who knew what they were talking about.

It’s not nice to argue if you’re wrong; and if you are right, then there is no need.

A word spoken to an intelligent person usually starts an argument.

The fewer arguments in defense of any opinion, the more feeling it is defended.

There is no point in arguing with a person so stupid that he doesn’t even see that you are more competent. John Roper

In unnecessary disputes, the truth is lost. Pu6lily Sir

In an argument, impudence and eloquence often win, rather than truth. Menander

The other side should also be heard. Seneca Lucius Annaeus (the Younger)

...The more mistaken your interlocutor is, the more important and desirable it is for him to understand and appreciate what you want to prove to him. Epictetus

Evidence should not be counted, but weighed. Unknown author

Beware of arguing with a person who knows little, but thoroughly. Unknown author

The obvious does not need proof. Unknown author

The strength of evidence is not in its quantity, but in its weight. Unknown author

Disputes are decided by fate. Unknown author

In a dispute, you can achieve the truth and win. Later coins "Canon", part I

There is no need to argue with someone who likes to argue. Xunzi

Do not argue with a person who has a bold tongue, and do not add wood to his fire. Old Testament. Sirach

Pickiness is a dispute in which one's own is not opposed. Haribhadra

The decisive argument is what is used to stop another [in a dispute]. Haribhadra

When you take part in a race of argument, don’t get excited, and you won’t fall soon. Nasir Khosrow

It’s better not to argue with those who have elevated their delusions to truth; it is not easy to heal blindness. The heart of such a person is like a crooked mirror: It distorts everything and turns beauty into nothing. Saadi

An argument even between friends has something rude, hostile and contrary to friendly relations. Francesco Petrarca

Dispute is a sieve of truth. Stefano Guazzo

It is impossible to have an honest and sincere argument with a fool. Michel de Montaigne

Stubbornness and excessive ardor in an argument are the surest sign of stupidity. Michel de Montaigne

And good arguments must yield to better ones. William Shakespeare

People get to know each other through argument and on the road. George Herbert

In most disputes one can notice one mistake: while the truth lies between the two views defended, each of the latter moves further away from it, the more passionately it argues. Rene Descartes

By persisting in an argument you will lose more than you will gain by winning - you are not defending the truth, but your bad manners. Baltasar Gracian y Morales

Slip away. Reception of prudent people. With an elegant joke, they discover a way out of the most confusing labyrinth. They know how to emerge safe and sound from a fierce argument with a smile. Baltasar Gracian y Morales

Ignorance is not an argument. Ignorance is not an argument. Benedict Spinoza

Citing authority is not an argument. Benedict Spinoza

To come to the conclusion that other people are not capable of thinking sensibly, and to reject in advance everything that they say, have said and will say, means saving yourself from many useless disputes. Jean de La Bruyère

When you notice that your opponent is getting excited, put an end to the argument with some joke. Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield

In disputes, as in war, the weaker side lights fires and makes a lot of noise so that the enemy thinks that it is stronger than it really is. Jonathan Swift

Wranglers remind me of a fish that, once hooked, churns the water around itself until it becomes invisible. Joseph Addison

If people argue for a long time, this proves that what they are arguing about is not clear to them. Voltaire

The disputes of ancient philosophers were always peaceful, but the disputes of theologians were often bloody and always stormy. Voltaire

Insults are the arguments of the wrong. Jean Jacques Rousseau

In disputes, a calm state of mind, combined with benevolence, is a sign of the presence of a certain force, due to which the mind is confident of its victory. Immanuel Kant

- Argue with a person smarter than you: he will defeat you... But you can benefit from your very defeat. - Argue with a person of equal intelligence: no matter who wins, you will at least experience the pleasure of fighting. - Argue with a person of the weakest mind; argue not out of a desire to win - but you can be useful to him. - Argue even with a fool! You won’t gain either fame or profit... But why not have fun sometimes! - Don’t argue with Vladimir Stasov! Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev

Polemics will only be useful if they clarify what the disagreements actually are, how deep they are, whether they are disagreements on the merits or disagreements on particular issues. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

Life without arguments would be very boring. Everything that lives cries out for discussion. Charles Spencer Chaplin

And sometimes it makes sense to argue about words. Franz Brentano

It is impossible to argue with someone who believes that he has the truth and does not seek it. Romain Rolland

You can only deny a complete sentence. Ludwig Wittgenstein

A new word is like a fresh seed thrown into the soil of discussion. Ludwig Wittgenstein

In a dispute, one raises the other above itself. Martin Heidegger

There is scarcely a better way to avoid debate than to free ourselves from the arguments of the present and assert that only the future can reveal its merits. Hannah Arendt

An argument is when two people at once try to say the last word first.

A dispute is a problem that has two sides and no end.

If you want to win a person, let him defeat you in an argument. Benjamin Disraeli

The more arguments won, the more friends lost.

People tolerate opposition more easily than contradiction. Maria Ebner Eschenbach

No matter which side of the argument you choose, there will always be people next to you with whom you would not want to be on either side. Jascha Heifetz

The higher the tone, the lower the level of argument.

In a dispute, the truth is always lost. Publilius Syrus

Truths degenerate in disputes. Leonid Leonidov

Smart people always agree with each other, provided they understand what the argument is about.

It's impossible to argue with him: if his gun misfires, he'll knock you down with the handle. Oliver Goldsmith on Samuel Johnson

By starting a conversation with a detailed presentation of your opponent’s point of view, you thereby cut the ground from under his feet. Andre Maurois

If you convince your opponent in an argument, at the end he will certainly say: “In essence, we both said the same thing.” Karol Izhikowski

The people who know the least argue the most.

An ignoramus is invincible in an argument.

People, as long as there are not too many of them, can debate among themselves. If there are more of them, they can only address each other with speeches. Vladislav Grzegorczyk

Don't try to say the last word, try to take the last step. Gilbert Sesbron

In every argument, the moment we begin to get angry, we stop fighting for the truth and enter into an argument for ourselves. Thomas Carlyle

Silencing a person does not convince you. John Morley

If you can’t put it on your own, put it in its place. Vladimir Kafanov

If you can't convince, confuse. Harry Truman

When defending your point of view, do not exceed the limit of acceptable defense. Alexander Rogov

Don't argue with the echo: it will still have the last word. Ramon Gomez de la Serna

The woman always has the last word in a dispute. Everything you say later will be the beginning of a new dispute.

There is no point in arguing with men - they are never right anyway. Sari Gabor

If you argue with an idiot, try to make sure he doesn't do the same thing. Ogden Nash

A person who agrees with you all the time is probably lying to others as well.

Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, dispute is an exchange of ignorance. Robert Quillen

Man is born a rational being and remains so until death, not counting small breaks when he takes a voice in the discussion. "Pshekruj"

If the interlocutor agrees with you, then he doesn’t care about all this.

They say they agree with me. And I don’t like opponents who can’t be found at home. Karol Izhikowski

If you don't agree with me, then you simply didn't listen to me.

They usually do not contradict those whom they love the most and those who are least respected. Maria Ebner Eschenbach

There is something funny about arguing with a person who shares your previous point of view, like meeting your ex-wife’s new husband. Karol Izhikowski

If they cannot attack the thought, they attack the thinker. Paul Valéry

A sufficiently intelligent person can be convinced of almost anything, but it is much more difficult to convince a slow-witted person. Tom Stoppard

Our opponents refute us in their own way: they repeat their opinion and do not pay attention to ours. Johann Wolfgang Goethe

To be refuted is nothing to fear; One should be afraid of something else - being misunderstood. Immanuel Kant

Define words correctly and you will free the world from half the misunderstandings. Rene Descartes