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Originally Posted by ubertuber
Ratbastid, your question hinges on wording. If your intent is to ask why even have a political DEBATE, then your answer makes sense. A debate is intended to convey your point of view, and refute your opponent's. That is what we have here all the time, and it is what causes blood to boil and people to get banned. Also, if you are here to debate (as is everyone else), you probably have a good reason to feel that you aren't getting anywhere - debaters only listen to the ideas of others enough to dismiss them. They don't look for reasons to accept a foriegn idea, they look for ways to discredit it.
If you really want to know why it is worthwhile to have discussion, I think I have a few answers. To find out about someone else's point of view. To understand thought processes and rationales that differ from your own. To learn.
To me, the difference between debate and discussion is the difference between lecturing and learning.
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Exactly.
Too often, in real life as well as here at TFP, we get into debates where we automatically divide into our respective sides and just try to "win". This usually means ignoring or distorting the good points that the other side makes, while stretching the limits of logic in order to make our own points.
I know I have personally changed the opinions of many people in real life, while also having my own mind changed on a number of topics. This doesn't mean changing completely from one extreme to another, but perhaps reaching some kind of compromise or understanding of the other side. Of course there are those people who are so set in stone that this is impossible, but most people are not like that.
The key is to establish the fact that you are simply having a discussion, not a debate. The goal is not to have someone win, but to gain a better understanding of the problem at hand and hopefully arrive at some kind of solution.