Wikipedia:Dissent is not disloyalty

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

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This page in a nutshell: Dissent is not disloyalty, but it is also not an excuse to be disruptive.

Editors who express dissent about Wikipedia and its policies and guidelines may be accused of being disloyal or of not working to improve the encyclopedia. In discussions on or about Wikipedia, avoid trivializing others' opinions by attributing the difference of opinion to others' character flaws, immorality, trolling, or other wanton bad faith. Instead, try to recognize the fundamental philosophical differences underlying the disagreement, accept the validity of opinions other than your own, and discuss the issue rather than the participants.

When dealing with dissent, the following advice may help:

Avoid ad hominem arguments. That generally means no personal attacks, which are usually considered to be a form of incivility.
In general, it is best to assume good faith.
Remember, Wikipedia is not a battleground; discuss the issue, not the person.
Remember, if an editor discusses a view, that does not necessarily mean they subscribe to such a view. Similarly, if an editor links to something, that does not necessarily mean that views expressed in that link reflect the opinions of the editors who linked to it.
Avoid implying guilt by association. Editors are responsible for their own actions, not the actions of others.
Avoid creating straw men.