Finally, as I collapse through my 50s I'm starting to understand some of my many horrible faults.
One aspect of that, I've discovered, is being eristic. That, apparently, means wanting to win an argument so much you don't actually care what you're arguing. I have a bit of that. If I see a logical weakness I will pursue it counterproductively and at the expense of normal human feeling. I hate when I do that. What an arse.
Still, now I know the word, maybe that will help.