Trevor said, "I wonder if being disagreeable is always wrong?  In academic debate it almost certainly is, but what if your opponent is a fascist or a fanatic?  Perhaps it would still be pointless and inappropriate, but this is not obvious."
 
I think disagreeableness is an obstacle to progression of an argument -- it generates more heat than light. That said, wouldn't it be pointless to argue with someone who thinks s/he is absolutely right?
 
June