posted April 22, 2004 08:04 PM            

There are generally rules of debate, involving who speaks for how long, how people present their arguments, their rebuttals, etc (the time factors are irrelevant here). But I suggest if anyone has any doubts, do a search online.

I think that there's a lot of good potential debate going on in here, debate that lends itself to understanding if framed well. But so many good points probably get lost in amongst the other BS.

When you make an argument, you need a statement of belief, also called a premise. "I believe Kerry would make a good president". Then you would usually say why, "because I believe he will do the following", "because anyone is better than Bush", whatever. Then, you usually would need to back up the "whys", with evidence you've read or heard or experienced, or you use deductive or inductive reasoning (the former: if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true; the latter: if the premises are true, the conclusion is probably true.)

When rebutting your argument, one would then say, I disagree, here is why, here is why I believe that, and here is my reasoning.

But instead there's a lot of, "well if the liberals would just realize that", or "it's just easier to sit back and be heartless" (the examples are lame, I hope you get my drift). Those are NOT premises from which one can have healthy debate. Debate is a cornerstone of our judicial and legislative branches. Debate, arguments, whatever you want to call it, when kept civil, helps to build bridges. I may not agree w/ someone's point of view, but if they can present it somewhat logically, a logical person must concede, "well, that makes sense, but I still feel X and here's why". It's not about being right, it's about being understood (in a forum like this).

I just think that this forum could be a lot more unified, with less of the bipartisan dischord and more understanding if people better understood the fundamentals of debate.

Most debates here seemed to be what's referred to as "pathos" (appeals to the emotions of the listeners). I know it's sometimes impossible to separate emotions when you believe strongly about something, but if you want to be heard and understood, an argument based on reason, logic and facts is far more likely to accomplish that.

For more details on rules of debate, types of arguments, etc, rather than be pedantic and attempt to explain it all, I leave it to you to do your own research. But anyone who is strongly opinionated would do well to verse themselves in the art of debate - you'll find yourselves and others feeling far less misunderstood, frustrated and angry at the end of it

Just a suggestion...

posted April 23, 2004 12:33 AM            

That's right! You will ask permission before you address me!!!