conviction

[pstevenson]

Here is a small scale of conviction of a belief.

:no: --- ---:yes:

we can place any belief somewhere on this scale.

so how do we gain from debate?
I prefer sharing viewpoints as a format rether than debate.
In debate one creates on the "no" end of the scale for the other person.
And on the "yes" side of the scale for self. Feels like ego to me.

 

[Fluffy]

I agree that does happen in a lot of debates, pstevenson, but that is a reflection of the attitude of the individual debator. There are a huge variety of topics on which I have completely changed my position on through debating on RF. I view debate as taking advantage of other people's brains. I will defend the position that I think is correct as best as I can and place it in a forum where it can be criticised. If it survives then I reserve the right to hold it with a few degrees more certainty than I did beforehand. If not then I will happily explore the views and beliefs that have been presented to me as alternatives.

Since proselytising is not allowed on RF, I find that we manage to weed out a lot of what you describe and so debating becomes less about being right and more about exploring what is right.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

so how do we gain from debate?

Refinement of thinking.

If beliefs are based on something other than personal warm and fuzzys, then there can be very constructive debate.

For example, if beliefs, religious teaching, and the application of religious teachings and philosophies are to be taken from a record (like the Holy Bible, Koran, or any other text), then the text is subject to interpretation, and the interpretation that guides application (etc) are open to debate and refinement.

I have a crash course in debate here on RF:

Debate 101: The Argument
Debate 102: Fallacies
Debate 201: The Complex Argument
Debate 202: Winning a debate

 

[Ronald]

Here is a small scale of conviction of a belief.

:no: --- ---:yes:

we can place any belief somewhere on this scale.

so how do we gain from debate?
I prefer sharing viewpoints as a format rether than debate.
In debate one creates on the "no" end of the scale for the other person.
And on the "yes" side of the scale for self. Feels like ego to me.

Look back in the old days of Religious Forums, where I had learned some things from "Dr. Dino" and used him in my debate, WOW! Did I ever get an education!
Just read a while back Dr Dino had been on trial for Tax Evasion, form the mountain to the depths of the dungeon.
I still believe in the creation, but I certainly don't use any man to uphold my theory!
I learned a great lesson, and appologised for my error.
Argue with a fence post, is not a debate. It is an exersize in futility.
Yeah, AE's lessons can help anyone become a better debater, myself excluded, I only learn from bad experience, the most expensive teacher. LOL

 

[cardero]

Here is a small scale of conviction of a belief.

:no: --- ---:yes:

we can place any belief somewhere on this scale.

so how do we gain from debate?

By letting go of pride and faith and letting the reasoning process unfold.