What are your favorite RF debates?

[Erebus]

My favourite debates to take part in are when everybody involved is polite and I leave the debate with a better understanding of another perspective.

My favourite debates to watch are when both people are arguing the same point but don't realise it. They start getting angrier and angrier at how their opponent just can't see how wrong they are when what's actually happening is that their opponent is just rewording the exact same argument.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

even if people try to win it can be good if both parties are informed about the subject and respectful of their interlocutors. And prepared to "lose".

If you learned something in a debate, even when corrected from an incorrect view or outlook, did you truly lose?

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

My favourite debates to watch are when both people are arguing the same point but don't realise it. They start getting angrier and angrier at how their opponent just can't see how wrong they are when what's actually happening is that their opponent is just rewording the exact same argument.

 

[Revoltingest]

There was that one, some years back.
You know which...it was so....you know.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

There was that one, some years back.
You know which...it was so....you know.

Was there? - Oh, wait, yeah! Now I remember. That one. Yeah, that one was crazy.

 

[Heyo]

If you learned something in a debate, even when corrected from an incorrect view or outlook, did you truly lose?

That's why I put "lose" in quotes.
I don't lose in a debate, I gain knowledge.

 

[Trailblazer]

They are running because they realize I'm going to nail them.
Usually I ask about the basics, not about the subject itself, so there is little chance they think common ground is already reached. And if they agree, they can at least say so. I'd even be fine with just a frubal indicating something like approval. No, they run.

My experience has not been that they run. My experience has been that they continue to dig their heels in deeper even though they have lost, and often they make complete fools of themselves by carrying on.

 

[FredVB]

I didn't know debates about faith or matters of faith were to enjoy. For me communication I share, besides what I show of my creativity, is for speaking of what I know or of what I am very sure of, with which in any case someone, or some that are more than one, will come to debate any one of those things I communicate, and I will then give reasons that I see are very good for being sure of what I am sure about. It is not me wanting a debate, and I would rather not stay for a debate. I would just share the things I know and the good reasons I have for what I am sure about, and that should be enough from me, if I have really communicated those things. I might stay for speaking further when it seems to me that I really have not communicated effectively what I had thought I should have.

 

[Heyo]

I didn't know debates about faith or matters of faith were to enjoy.

Debates generally are to be enjoyed like a game of chess or GO. Each side presenting their "arguments" the best they can. But the main goal is not winning. Especially in scientific debates, the goal is to come further to the truth.

 

[Trailblazer]

But the main goal is not winning.

That all depends upon who is debating. I think the goal is winning for many of folks on RF. After one round I have no interest in going any further so I just give these posters an Optimistic, since they are optimistic if they think I am going to argue with them.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

That all depends upon who is debating. I think the goal is winning for many of folks on RF. After one round I have no interest in going any further so I just give these posters an Optimistic, since they are optimistic if they think I am going to argue with them.

It's true that many seek to win. Especially when one brings up the topic of Creationism vs. Evolution.

 

[Heyo]

It's true that many seek to win. Especially when one brings up the topic of Creationism vs. Evolution.

I don't count those as debates. The scientific debate has been over for 150 years on that one. There are apologists who try to preach creationism and science minded people trying to educate locked in a shouting match.

 

[Trailblazer]

It's true that many seek to win. Especially when one brings up the topic of Creationism vs. Evolution.

or God vs. no God.