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Are Debates really winable?


Breton Thief Oriana

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Dearest Peregrin,

 

I'm still rolling in response to your Darnoc 101, etc. post. It is VERY edifing to know that we free thinking-anti automatons, which spew out time-tested and time-refuted soliloquies, are alive and well!

 

I'll buy you a drink when you're in town. Ring me. I even have a dropper to get it down that sharpest of sharp beak of yours!

 

And finally, for those of you who still "believe" logic is a predominant Vulcan trait, I highly recommend reading Edward P. J. Corbett's book- The Elements of Reasoning. DEBATES CAN BE WON!

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Hehe, Peregrin's study of Darnoc's way of discussing :D

 

 

OK, let's be serious again. I accept the fact that there is a truth and that a discussion can be won. But those aren't equalities. When someone wins a discussion this doesn't mean that he is right or that what he says is the truth. You can only make a valid statement or judgment about truth, when you know all the facts. Since we humans do not know all the facts, no one of us can make a truly valid statement about truth. I accept the fact that some statements are more true than others. But no one can make an absolute true statement. At least until all the facts concerning the subject are known. Only then we can make a valid statement about the truth.

 

So the only correct way to end a discussion would be to say "With our present knowlegde, I/you are right and what I/you say is true". But keep in mind "With our present knowlegde". Until we know all the facts, no absolute valid statement about what is true or not can be made.

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I don't think winning or losing are the main points of a debate. IMO, debates should be about stimulating thought, and helping to clarify things in your own mind. Sometimes, when you are presented with an opposing viewpoint, it forces you to examine your own thoughts from a different angle. Maybe you change your mind, maybe you don't. What matters is the debating, not the outcome.
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I agree with Theta. Also it is often the observers of a debate who can derive as much from it. If your views are better understood or more widely accepted afterwards, whatever the apparent 'outcome', you can be said to have won. It's why sometimes both sides claim victory.
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all i can say about this flood of posts in my thread: Dear god, ive created a monster!

 

now then....in response to Darnoc, there is a difference between a DEBATE and a DISCUSSION, where a debate is used mostly by its participants to win and a discussion is used mostly to present ideas and cross notes.

 

in response to Theta, that seems to come off as a good idea that is false. you honestly think that people debate for the sole purpose of gaining knowledge? People as a race are competitive, panicky, ignorant, evil, etc. and many views in "Debates" (as opposed to "Discussions") exemplify all of those.

 

in response to Malchick, both sides claim victor for one of 2 reasons: either things are as you said or both sides are to stubborn to see the fact that neither of them one.

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In a debate when you are trying to pursuade someone you must use facts and other information to try to show someone your ideas. IF oyu are just saying that your side is right with giving a lagitimate reason you coul never change someone's opinions. The winner of a debate would be the one who can support reasons for their side. If you cannot support your stance how can you win. The side that has the most numerous and lagitimate reasons for their side is the one that would win.

 

In a discussion people juste state their preferences in no hopes of actually changing anyone's opinions, unless it escalates into a debate at which point it would no longer be a discussion. Some topics are hard to have a discussion about and will almost always lead to a debate where as others can be done calmly as a discussion with no side being right.

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  • 1 year later...
I surmise there isn't such thing as truth, because all things are relative. However, I have no proof and I even doubt myself, so it appears that I have nothing to say in this thread... :/
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