It seems that Lewis is going to take the approach you are suggesting next time Silver "I think I will just continue to do what I'm doing and try and stay out of trouble more" All the front runners have had an unfortunate race during this season, even Alonso only picking up 2 points in China. Still all to play for!
I have to disagree Silver (and Johnny Herbert if you're reading). You shouldn't dive out of the way of someone because they've got a reputation of taking people out, Lewis defended brilliantly against Pastor for half a lap and there was only a lap and a half until the end of the race, he's fully entitled and completely right to defend that position tooth and nail. At no point did Lewis do anything desperate to hold on to the position, he just picked his lines and stuck to them, you can't account for someone coming from off the race track to spear into the side of you. If you just yield to people who are too aggressive they'll do it time and time again and get away with it, and then everyone else will drive the same way.