Dealing with pretentious know it alls

[Nanopants]

It may be fun, but I don't think that solves anything the long run. The question is what are you trying to accomplish with this person? If nothing, just walk away. If you are trying to get them to change, confrontation probably isn't the best option.

Maybe the person isn't as important as the community, and maybe a community of pretentious know it all's wouldn't be as important as the larger society.

Why let it spread? Change has to start somewhere.

Rubbing their faces in their own ignorance isn't a very Christian approach.

Hmm. Was the same true of Christ, rubbing the ignorance of false teachers in their faces?

 

[ReesePiece23]

Just wind them up. Spin them a yarn by making up a load of old crap - but be sure to say it in a way that sounds really deep and insightful so that you can reel them in.

You wouldn't of thought it would work, but believe me it does. A mate of mine posted something on his wall - that was complete rubbish, yet everybody believed him and started talking about it.

 

[GQ Chris]

Sounds like the OP is talking about obummer.

 

[Lord Of The Forest]

How do you deal with a pretentious know it all?

Reaction memes.

Protip: My Little Pony memes really fire them.

 

[Legal_Eagle]

Maybe the person isn't as important as the community, and maybe a community of pretentious know it all's wouldn't be as important as the larger society.

Why let it spread? Change has to start somewhere.



Hmm. Was the same true of Christ, rubbing the ignorance of false teachers in their faces?

The person is as important as the community. The community is made up of persons. It's not as if pretentiousness is a disease. Christ did counter ignorant teachings to further His message. Spinning up other people just to show you are smarter than their ignorance, is not what Christ was doing. I've yet to hear what you are trying to gain with this person. Community shame? They probably already have that, even though they don't recognize it. Taking them to task sounds more like pride than anything.

 

[Nanopants]

The person is as important as the community. The community is made up of persons. It's not as if pretentiousness is a disease. Christ did counter ignorant teachings to further His message. Spinning up other people just to show you are smarter than their ignorance, is not what Christ was doing. I've yet to hear what you are trying to gain with this person. Community shame? They probably already have that, even though they don't recognize it. Taking them to task sounds more like pride than anything.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. -2 Cor 2:4-6

I already answered, and if you don't agree, sorry, you don't need to know any more, because I don't answer to you.

 

[Legal_Eagle]

I already answered, and if you don't agree, sorry, you don't need to know any more, because I don't answer to you.

Aren't you a funny little know-it-all in a huff

For the record, you really didn't answer anything. You just quoted a scripture about God's will and the intent of His message. You're not suggesting you are God, called upon by the most high to tear down the words of others.....are you?

 

[Nanopants]

Aren't you a funny little know-it-all in a huff

For the record, you really didn't answer anything. You just quoted a scripture about God's will and the intent of His message. You're not suggesting you are God, called upon by the most high to tear down the words of others.....are you?

 

[SnowyMacie]

I usually put up with them until they realize that no one is ever going to be convinced to change their opinion/belief because of a discussion or argument over the internet. I love debating and discussing issues, but I know that no one is going to ever read anything I write and think "OH WOW, HE'S COMPLETELY RIGHT AND I WAS WRONG. THIS CHANGES THIS FOR ME!". I don't expect that to happen, ever.

I don't think there is a way to constructively confront them because their problem rises from their self view of "I'm better than everyone else". Like I said, no one is ever convinced of anything after just one discussion, no matter how well it's done. People like that need to realize and accept that not everyone is going to agree with them and no amount of arguing or discussing will convince them to agree with you.

 

[redblue22]

I have had many changes from discussions of all sort including here. I learned Jesus is God from a guy wearing a cardboard sign around his neck. Looking up bible words I had never heard before had a huge impact. I get a lot out of the questions I ask here.

I'm thinking a lot of people just like to fight and win. Christians too. They are here to debate and win. I don't look for fights or enter in to win. I ask honest questions to learn. I'm open to change. And I enjoy hearing about how the world looks to each one. If someone is looking for change and asks me, well, I try to help or admit I don't know.

.

 

[blackribbon]

How do you deal with a pretentious know it all?

Someone who views their self as the intellectual crusader who must change everyone, because in their view most people are ignorant and stupid.

Someone who has insulated their self from getting input from most, because in their mind everyone is stupid, and their self is the agent of change for the "stupid people"?

Is there a way to constructively confront such a person, or should one consider such a person as incapable of being reached due to elevating their self in a self contained intellectual apparatus of arrogance?

Yes, people do exist who truly feel as if they are THE intellectual crusader whom all the "stupid people" must submit to.

These people go berzerk if you pose the possibility that they aren't the intellectual mover and shaker they believe their self to be. They'll claim you "just don't get it" if you suggest they are possibly being arrogant or placing themself above others.

Their easy out card is the "you just don't get me" "you just don't get it" statement, whenever you slightly suggest that they are being arrogant, insulated, and possibly not as relevant as they esteem themself.

They're the misunderstood "outsider".
The lone voice in the wilderness every stupid person refuses to submit to.

Is there a way to break through their deluded arrogant facade?

Quite often these people have narcissistic personality disorder...and if that is what is going on, they aren't going to learn or change no matter what people say...you are wasting your time even trying to "put them in their place".

 

[Sophrosyne]

Quite often these people have narcissistic personality disorder...and if that is what is going on, they aren't going to learn or change no matter what people say...you are wasting your time even trying to "put them in their place".

This is the truth, I've come across know it all's that it is at some level related to a mental illness issue and often doing anything more than ignoring them literally feeds them in some way it either irritates them or encourages them or both. I think one has to try and judge the true personality of the individual and try and ascertain their motive for correcting others. I used to be somewhat of a know it all and still at times confidently state my opinion. I think often know it alls do know things but I think the problem they have is social skills in that they want to be helpful but instead of trying to help they are seen as "taking over" in a conversation and correcting someone. I have to resist at times the method in which I try to correct someone such as to make it not seem like doing so makes me better or more important but rather I want the other person to learn from me and then later they too can correct someone also and perhaps in time ignorance in that matter can be reduced.

In other words sit back first and listen to how they talk and interact and if it is about them and showing their supremacy or about them sharing a bit too forcefully and ungraciously due to lack of social skills.

 

[sundewgrower]

I just read the OPs post here ..
I'll say this since I lived next to a Christian family (they are also very legalistic!) that seemingly knew everything, and it put our whole family in for a spin...
Basically your best bet is to leave them alone, not argue with them, and to give them space. Don't attempt to rationalize things with them regardless of your intelligence, that your right, or so forth. They love to debate, argue, and otherwise make things difficult.
Also, pray for them but in the end it seems leaving them alone is best since they are almost impossible to reason with. Now of course every case is different and so perhaps you could have more luck than myself.

 

[dmpeace]

If anybody needs advice, I pretty much know everything. I was only wrong once and that's only because I thought I was wrong.

 

[sundewgrower]

If anybody needs advice, I pretty much know everything. I was only wrong once and that's only because I thought I was wrong.

Once you've been stuck around a lot of people who have advice for everything you start to second guess everything you say, pretend you know less than you do, or otherwise aspire to never become what you dreaded being around

 

[dmpeace]

Once you've been stuck around a lot of people who have advice for everything you start to second guess everything you say, pretend you know less than you do, or otherwise aspire to never become what you dreaded being around

I already knew that.

 

[Lord Of The Forest]

If anybody needs advice, I pretty much know everything. I was only wrong once and that's only because I thought I was wrong.

 

[dmpeace]

New girlfriend!

 

[Lord Of The Forest]

Congrats and all that, but don't you think talking about your new girlfriend is a mite off topic?

 

[dmpeace]

Congrats and all that, but don't you think talking about your new girlfriend is a mite off topic?

No, you showed her to me. You guys look lovely.