What is the purpose of debate?

[Samantha Burt]

So recently I've been looking at the accounts on twitter that retweet homophobic and racist comments to, shall we say, "expose" them. At first I thought it was a good idea; it pulls ignorance into the spotlight and lets these people know that they are in a public forum, where they can (and will) be judged by all.

However, I eventually followed up on some of the tweets to see the ensuing discussions (read: arguments) and came to a fairly obvious revelation: that they weren't going anywhere.

So I was curious: why do people choose to enter into these debates with strangers? Is it merely an attempt to repel aggression toward a group, or do they feel they can legitimately change the person's mind? Is it something else entirely? What are your thoughts? (Why do I ask so many questions?)

Oh, and try to keep it civil, this isn't about the subject of homophobia or racism, merely the discussions that such topics create. Thanks

 

[Arsen]

Most people use debate, not as a medium to speak openly about their opinions and try to solve societies ills, but instead use it to attempt to hold dominance over others, berate the opposite side, demand their evidences be taken as a strong point, and just overall produce a more general atmosphere of negativity than anything.

Or at least, that's what I've gathered from this board.

 

[Total LOLige]

We love to hate each other. That's all there is to it.

 

[Quaxar]

There is no point in debating and you can't prove me otherwise!

I personally enjoy sleeping in the nude, it's just so natural and comfy, also I enjoy humping the bed when I start feeling aroused by my night time thoughts.

I hope this was the wrong thread...?

 

[Jmz01]

Most of them all pretty much pointless I think. The only situations I've seen where they can go anywhere, is if someone posts something incredibly stupid, and after the many replies saying so, admits they were wrong.

Other than that though (which is 95% of the arguments I've seen over the internet), most of them are variations of "My opinion is right, your's is wrong, I'm better than you, and here's a truckload of insults and loosely relevant information, to show why".

Despite all that though, I find them pretty funny to watch

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

There is no point in debating and you can't prove me otherwise!

Challenge accepted.

Not only is there a point in debating, there are many points in debating, they're made constantly. You see what I did there?

That's probably about as clever as I'll be all week.

 

[Ragsnstitches]

Personally I like to have a verbal joust on occasion, but it's just not something most people I know are comfortable with. So I go online and spar a bit.

While sometimes I like to spar with human counterparts, exchanging measured blows and considering my every move, other, if not most, times I just like to beat up a dummy.

 

[tippy2k2]

Sometimes, when I'm feeling charitable, I like to bestow all the right answers upon the masses. For some reason there are those who resist but I assume that they are resisting ironically since there is no debating with me; just me telling you what is correct.

Alright, fine. You want the truth!?!? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

No more jokes, that's the last one, I promise:

I like to debate. While it does seem like you are talking to a brick wall that won't budge no matter what when you're chatting with strangers online, I have absolutely no problem conceding points and actually having a debate with someone. Also importantly, I will tell you if you have changed my mind, so you get the satisfaction of changing a strangers mind...so congrats I guess?

There are a few points that I will not change my mind on (and I state this when we begin if you really want to try) but in truth, I feel like I'm a pretty reasonable fella.

 

[VladG]

It's because people like, metaphorically speaking, the sound of their own voice.

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

Well I don't know why anyone else debates, but the only reason I do it is to pass some time. Normally the only time I ever get legitimately interested in a debate is when the other person is just 100% confident in their position and I can see obvious flaws.

My goal in life and debates is simple.
Prove that everyone can technically be proven to be wrong about everything.

NOT that I'm right, just that you and everyone else is wrong.

 

[trooper6]

There are different kinds debates.

Sometimes I enter into a debate because I'm enjoying having a pleasant conversation with another speaker. I learn things, I teach things. It is nice.
Sometimes I enter into a debate because there are some factual errors that should be cleared up...once that's done, my work is also done.
Sometimes I enter into a debate because the conversation hasn't taken into account a particular experiential point of view and I think adding my point of view might enrich the experience. (For example, people are talking about the general arts requirements in college...all the speakers are students...as a Professor, I have a different perspective/experience that might be useful/interesting).

Sometimes though...the debate is full of people being really hateful...homophobic, racist, sexist, whatever. At that time I have to make a calculation. I think about the quote: "All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing." If someone is spewing hate, while I can disengage and just ignore the conversation...I think about some of the other folks reading the thread who might be feeling bullied, triggered, hurt, isolated, attacked, violated. I wouldn't want a person like that to see the hate and then see no one say, "This isn't okay." I wouldn't want them to think that the community as a whole approves of the speech through its silence. So, even though those situations can be really, really draining, I try to say something just to not let the negativity sit out in the universe without comment.

But that is not always something I have the energy for. I have avoided these fora for months after an alarming uptick in sexism. But I'm back in (if in a diminished capacity).

 

[Bobic]

Ego masturbation mostly. . .

Alright, I'll add something else. It's a good way to tone verbal skills and get to know the evidence supporting your beliefs better. And what do we use these improved verbal skills for? Why, more debating, of course!

It's like leveling up in a mmorpg. We kill monsters to get better at killing monsters so we can kill more monsters.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

I don't debate. I discuss. Because i'm better than you, and you just don't know it.

 

[Iszfury]

For the sake of the thread, I'll go ahead and emphasize that an *argument* and debate are two powerfully disparate ideas. I'd like to think that when people begin egasterbating, vomiting up hate speech and being an all around dick, things tend to run closer towards the former. Debate generally comes about through honest discussion and didactic intent, the other is just an everyday manifestation of the fact that most humans have the emotional and intellectual integrity of a wet carrot. That metaphor didn't make sense....

We should have a spectrum!

Arguments Debates

Almost like the KOTOR alignment meter! We could add or subtract for para/renegade decisions. A forum-regulated moral compass!! Although..I have serious doubts about that going well.

Somebody shut me up.

 

[DarkRyter]

I personally enjoy sleeping in the nude, it's just so natural and comfy, also I enjoy humping the bed when I start feeling aroused by my night time thoughts.

Huh, I do the same thing.

This guy knows what's up with the world.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Well, debate forces people to see what is wrong with a position or an idea. If no ideas are challenge, the wrong ones will never be destroyed, and the good ones can never be proved.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

There is no point in debating and you can't prove me otherwise!

You made the claim that debating is pointless, and thus it is your burden of proof to prove your point.

Otherwise I could claim there is a portal to Equestria in the center of Mars (opened by Pinkie Pie when she sang "Smile, Smile, Smile"), and you would be unable to prove me wrong...

No matter how much I wish there was a portal to Equestria somewhere. :'(