I learned to think critically and to write rigorous, compelling qualitative arguments. (science.sciencemag.org)
If you have not, and as you have said, you've only «tried to follow the debate by reading journal articles and posts», and I think «tried» is your operative word; then from a scientific point of view, are not then your opinions more in the «less likely» or «very unlikely» category of confidence, from an objective or qualitative argument perspective? (realclimate.org)
Other fallacious arguments include using qualitative arguments and the appeal to gut feelings. (sciencebits.com)