In any debate one finds a topic of discussion, at least one core viewpoint and at least two individuals to carry out such a discussion. If any two individuals engaged within a discussion should adopt alternative viewpoints to each other then the point at which those viewpoints conflict is deemed the start of an argument.

Now arguments are typically associated with raised voices, aggressive attitudes and the threat of physical conflict or a cold break-off. It is true that many disagreements lead down such a path. However such more often than not is the result of the breakdown in the fabric of debate, when individuals lash out at each other and say hurtful things that produces a later regret that only stubborness and pride suppress.

Some more mature individuals go to great pains to reconcile their views with those of others in debate. Compromises are struck for the sake of agreement. This is sometimes a beneficial end and sometimes it is not, the reason mainly being that in the eager giving away of ground in an argument the argument more often than not is not done justice and so questions may remain.

The purpose of debate is of bringing differing viewpoints into a process of interaction with each other, not so much to necessarily reconcile them. In all topics one will find superior and inferior arguments. While reconciling them in the act of compromise can have the benefits related to the avoidance of conflict so too can such also mean that the reconciled hybrid may remain inferior to one of the arguments posed.

There are also situations where different arguments are of more-or-less equal merit. One common misconception that can be found upon all levels of debate is that an inferior argument is necessarily devoid of merit. This is very rarely the case as those who pose inferior arguments tend to hold them up upon their positive attributes, considering them to outweigh their deficiencies.

It is also untrue that concepts are static or set in stone. Even the most seemingly rigid concepts are open to improvement, and that goes for concepts deemed superior. It is how concepts evolve.

It is my intention to provide a better understanding of the anatomy of debate through the proposition of an open-ended set of guidelines that typify a superior quality of debate and I shall be expanding upon this in the coming weeks.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 at 10:20 pm and is filed under Contemplations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.