Debating

I am not very proficient at debating a subject. I admit this. I am a non confrontational person be it physical, or verbal. I tend to shy away from arguing simply because it makes me feel ill at ease. When i do jump into a fray, like a fish out of water, I do not do so well. I prefer to share ideas and try to inspire a few thoughts from others. So, I am not a debater.

But, what I was wanting to understand, is what constitutes proper debating etiquette? What is the right way, and what is the wrong way. What ethics are involved? Speaking to another in a condescending tone or, belittling anothers ideas, things like that. What are the rules of debating if there are any, and what are the ethics involved? Just curious.

I am not very proficient at debating a subject. I admit this. I am a non confrontational person be it physical, or verbal. I tend to shy away from arguing simply because it makes me feel ill at ease. When i do jump into a fray, like a fish out of water, I do not do so well. I prefer to share ideas and try to inspire a few thoughts from others. So, I am not a debater.

But, what I was wanting to understand, is what constitutes proper debating etiquette? What is the right way, and what is the wrong way. What ethics are involved? Speaking to another in a condescending tone or, belittling anothers ideas, things like that. What are the rules of debating if there are any, and what are the ethics involved? Just curious.

Some food for thought;
I'm not too sure of the ultimate fruitfulness of egoically attempting to convince all that you are 'right' and the other is 'wrong'. 'Winning' a debate doesn't seem to change the mind of the 'loser'. It seems to be an egoic contest and little more. A win/lose ego strokin' game.
The days of 'win/lose' are over.
Win/win is possible;
Might it not be more fruitful for all to attempt to understand how the other Perspective can be correct, as it obviously is correct from the 'other' Perspective.
'This' Perspective + another Perspective = a 'larger' Perspective with a greater 'included angle'. Both benefit. Win/win!
All Perspectives are valid features of 'reality/existence'.
"The complete definition/description of the universe/existence is the sum-total of all Perspectives." - Book of Fudd

Don't be afraid to contradict yourself -- do not find virtue in consistency. Life will contradict you anyway.

Well said.


All apparent 'contradictions' are also features of Reality!

A debate is not about winning It is about convincing your opponent they are wrong

or learn you are wrong and humbly admit it

One can view a debate as a method of "testing" a particular position by subjecting it to the kind of scrutiny a thought-contest involves. It may be that neither side's mind is changed---that might not be the point---but perhaps the auditors' are, or at least they are witness to the intense discussion that might cause new viewpoints to be opened up to their thinking, as Nameless suggests.

From another perspective, debate is useful to both sides. Being able to present the best arguments in the most forceful and clear manner, to answer objections (and to be made aware of them), and to subject isolated thinking to a public forum is not just a mere mental exercise of Sophism, but improves one's own ability to think.

And there are commonly accepted rules for debate, in which it is the ideas and arguments presented, not the people involved, that are attacked by close scrutiny and examination. It formal situations, for example (and for similar reasons, one remembers, the tradition in the House of Commons) people's names are never used.