an online book by David Gurteen
Debate is a formal discussion or argument in which opposing views are presented and discussed in an effort to reach a conclusion or resolution. It can be a verbal or written exchange of ideas and often involves the presentation of evidence and logical reasoning to support one’s position. Debate can be used to explore a variety of topics and can be a valuable tool for learning and critical thinking.
Debate is a process that involves formal discourse, discussion, and oral addresses on a particular topic or collection of topics, often with a moderator and an audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for opposing viewpoints. Historically, debates have occurred in public meetings, academic institutions, debate halls, coffeehouses, competitions, and legislative assemblies. Debates have also been conducted for educational and recreational purposes, usually associated with educational establishments and debating societies. These debates emphasize logical consistency, factual accuracy, and emotional appeal to an audience. Modern competitive debate also includes rules for participants to discuss and decide upon the framework of the debate (how it will be judged).
The term "debate" may also apply to a more continuous, inclusive, and less formalized process through which issues are explored and resolved across a range of agencies and among the general public. For example, the European Commission in 2021 published a Green Paper on Ageing, intended to generate such a debate on "policies to address the challenges and opportunities of ageing" in upcoming years. Pope Francis has also referred to the "need for forthright and honest debate" on society and the environment in his 2015 encyclical letter Laudato si'.
Credit: Wikipedia - debateOur society is dangerously polarised. We don’t listen to each other. Too many of us are separating into ideological tribes. This has to stop. The future of our democracy depends on it. This is what the Munk Debates is all about. Opening minds to different points of view. Challenging groupthink. Debating controversial issues with rigour and honesty. | Munk Debates Continue reading Our Society Is Dangerously Polarised Munk Debates
Unfortunately we are so steeped in debate, proving one’s point and challenging others, that alternative possibilities for interaction are often eclipsed from our view. It is interesting to notice that even when we say we want to dialogue we commonly end up in debate. We appear to have a longing to do something different but the vortex of habit … | Theodore Zeldin Continue reading We Are So Steeped in Debate Theodore Zeldin
We don’t have a good word for engaging in a non-hostile disagreement with the shared aim of moving the participants towards a new understanding, better decision or new idea. Debate implies a competition with winners and losers. Argument comes tinged with animosity. Dialogue is too bland. Dialectic is too obscure. We talk about argument as if it is … | Ian Leslie Continue reading We Don’t Have a Good Word for Engaging in a Non-hostile Disagreement Ian Leslie
AustraliaAustriaBrazilCanadaChinaCzech RepublicEgyptFranceGermanyGlobalIndiaItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandSaudia ArabiaSingaporeSpainTurkeyUAEUnited KingdomUnited States As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase a book via this site. Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time Future Minds: the Rise of Intelligence From the Big Bang to the End of the Universe Tags: … Continue reading From Debate to Dialogue: Using the Understanding Process to Transform Our Conversations by Deborah L. Flick (1998)
What Is a Real Conversation? The Value of Conversation ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Numerous words or phrases describe the varied forms of conversation and speech. This page lists some of the more common ones … Continue reading The Language of Conversation and Speech Meanings of words describing conversation and speech
Introduction: Discourse and Narrative ** Stories and Narratives Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Discourse profoundly shapes our perceptions and interactions. Exploring different forms of oral discourse—such as debates, interviews, and conversations—reveals how we convey ideas and … Continue reading Oral Public Discourse Verbal expression aimed at a public audience
Levels of Conversation ** Conversation Is a Dance ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Debate Dialogue Assumes there is a right answer and you have it. Assumes many people have pieces of the answer and that … Continue reading Dialogue Vs Debate ** Exploring together vs winning
Conversation Is More Than Communication The Jazz of Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close We often say we need to debate something – especially in the political world – when what we really need is a … Continue reading The Difference Between Dialogue and Debate ** In dialogue, finding common ground is the goal while in debate, winning is the goal
Conversation Covenant Brown-bag Lunches ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close What is brainstorming? Brainstorming is a popular ideation technique for generating new ideas. The basic premise is to get a group together and have them share … Continue reading Brainstorming A group discussion to produce a list of ideas or solutions to a problem.
Construct steel arguments: We often use a straw argument to win a disagreement when we should use a steel one. Continue reading Construct Steel Arguments Not Straw Ones We need to learn to argue more effectively to get at the truth
Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in Small Groups Introduction: Knowledge Café Principles Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Principle: Dialogue, not debate. Knowledge Café conversations are about making sense of a situation, sharing information, better understanding each other, … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue Not Debate Be prepared to emerge a slightly different person
Conversare Events The Dérive Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Debates are an essential part of communication, allowing for the exchange of differing viewpoints. However, understanding their various forms and purposes can be challenging. By exploring the … Continue reading Understanding Debates Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it
Thinking Together Let’s Have More Interesting Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Conversation in business is frequently seen as soft and wooly. Is it? I’m afraid the senior managers in my organisation have got no interest … Continue reading Hard Conversation Conversation is anything but soft and wooly
The Dérive Dialogic Organization Development Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The meaning of dialogue The word dialogue has several meanings depending on the context in which it is used. If you look up the word in … Continue reading Dialogue Dialogue is a disciplined form of conversation
Espresso Café Ritual Dissent Café ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close A Knowledge Café usually begins with a short talk and a question, but there are other ways to set the context. A Café Debate introduces … Continue reading Knowledge Café Debate Debate sharpens up the important aspects of the issue under discussion
Speak with Less Conviction Reduce Emailing and Texting ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Disagree constructively: Disagreement is an inevitable part of life. Most of the time, we do it poorly. We need to learn to … Continue reading Disagree Constructively How to disagree well
Oracy What Is the Difference Between Rhetoric and Oracy? Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Rhetoric is often construed as insincere or meaningless language that sounds clever. This is an unduly negative perspective. Rhetoric is a critical … Continue reading Rediscovering Rhetoric Rethinking how we influence and communicate every day
Rediscovering Rhetoric Introduction: the Power of Conversation Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close On the face of it, rhetoric and oracy would seem the same, but although they have much in common, they have some significant differences. … Continue reading What Is the Difference Between Rhetoric and Oracy? Rhetoric is monologue, oracy is dialogue
