Discussions and Debates: Different or not?

[Dave~]

When it comes to discussions and debates, do you think they are the same, or different. Expound on that and tell us why?

[James Lewitzke]

While debates and discussions are very similar to me, I think they do have some differences. For example, debates tend to be more focused on formal argumentation, while discussions have a more "casual" feel to them, if you know what I mean.

[Dave~]

IMO, they are vastly different. The dictionary says:

• Discussion - an act or instance of discussing; consideration or examination by argument, comment, etc., esp. to explore solutions; informal debate.
• Debate -

  1. a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
  2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
  3. deliberation; consideration.
  4. Archaic. strife; contention.

So the dictionary kinda' agrees with you, and I do, too. However, I usually place more emphasis on discussions for understanding in order to keep the peace while a debate is more like a contest for one side to win over the other.

In a discussion, questions and statements are made in order to learn what someone else believes, or does, or whatever, and they're also made to help others understand what one believes, or does, or whatever. Though I might try to convince someone to "see it my way", the entire discussion is for understanding. We can disagree agreeably.

On the other hand, a debate uses tactics to try to win someone to one side or the other. These are usually more "heated" though most forums still don't allow flaming if a matter becomes a debate.

But, that's just me!

[James Lewitzke]

Originally Posted by Dave~

In a discussion, questions and statements are made in order to learn what someone else believes, or does, or whatever, and they're also made to help others understand what one believes, or does, or whatever. Though I might try to convince someone to "see it my way", the entire discussion is for understanding. We can disagree agreeably.

On the other hand, a debate uses tactics to try to win someone to one side or the other. These are usually more "heated" though most forums still don't allow flaming if a matter becomes a debate.

I agree too, I guess if I were to put them into the simplest terms possible:

Discussion = Conversing with others about topics that interest you

Debate = Trying to persuade one or more to see your P.O.V. about specific topics

Persuasion and argumentation are the real difference makers IMO .

[Dave~]

Originally Posted by James Lewitzke

Persuasion and argumentation are the real difference makers IMO .

I think so, too.

At one forum, we have a discussion forum and a separate debate forum. In the debate forum, we allow debate tactics such as undermining the other side by suggesting the opposing side's credentials are lacking, pointing to one's own credentials to gain support, and stuff like that. It's still not flaming, but it can be pretty gruesome! LoL!

I think this has been a discussion.

[James Lewitzke]

Originally Posted by Dave~

At one forum, we have a discussion forum and a separate debate forum. In the debate forum, we allow debate tactics such as undermining the other side by suggesting the opposing side's credentials are lacking, pointing to one's own credentials to gain support, and stuff like that. It's still not flaming, but it can be pretty gruesome! LoL!

It must be hard to control and / or sense just when people may be using those tactics or not. For the discussion section, that is.

I can see why this issue will probably come up here in some time (after all these are the Conspiracy Forums).

Originally Posted by Dave~

I think this has been a discussion.

Not quite a debate?

[Dave~]

I don't think that you have enough experience as an Admin to make this a debate.

Okay, that was just a debate tactic.... just kidding with you!

Sometimes it's hard to tell, but most of the time it's pretty obvious. You can tell a debate is coming when someone starts sentences like:

• You obviously haven't ever....
• You're too young to...
• I have a degree in...
• Most people that think that are...
• Only those that .... are...
• When you have as much experience as me....

And so on. But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to debates.

[James Lewitzke]

Thanks for those "debate-sensing" tips, Dave . I'll keep those in mind when new future threads, posts, etc. arise in the forums.

[Barcs]

THIS NEEDS TO BE A DEBATE!!!!!!!!!!

Haha. Just kidding. I gotta agree with both of you so far. Debates are more structured and organized than most discussions. In a debate you should respond to and address all of your opponents points and counterpoints. There's so many times when you might type out 2 paragraphs and some nitwit will pick out the one iffy sentence in the whole thing and only respond to that as if it nullifies your entire argument. In a discussion this would be acceptable.

[dickeazy]

I say debates are an avenue for exploring every option, or point of view, or pertinent facts concerning a specific topic or subject, or even an action; example: (I'm debating on whether or not to sell my house)

A discussion is a casual conversation about several topics, events, conditions, feelings, and on and on...

[Dave~]

Though I'm inclined to agree with the last two posts, my personal definition of a discussion goes beyond the casual. Even though a lot of my discussions are casual and only that, I do have discussions with people to really try to find out what they believe, or why they do something, or whatever. Sometimes it's very structured and takes lots of patience since I'm really interested in finding out what the other person's outtake is on a particular subject.

In a discussion, I will not try to persuade the individual to my type of thinking while I'm trying to understand theirs. But if I think their belief is flawed, then I will ask and that could borderline on trying to persuade, but not by using tactics that would personally undermine the other person, nor trying to convince others that they are wrong and I am right.

Having been on a debate team in college, I'm at the point now that I don't like using those tactics that might when me or my team points. I'd rather learn and ask questions. But that's just me.