Post by Daniel on May 29, 2010 23:21:24 GMT -4
;D 
What do all of those emoticons have in common?
Those are all feelings that you can feel during a debate.
So this brings us to our first question... [be]What is a debate?[/be]
A debate is something that is known to happen anywhere, anytime and all the time.
A debate is like an argument in that two sides are trying to prove a point about a topic that they do not agree on through some form of communication (talking, writing, et cetera); however, a debate is not like an argument in that a debate's point is proved with logic, and not emotions.
The concept of an argument is that two sides thrash out and argue out of emotion, but in relationship to a debate an argument is something else. An argument in a debate is actually a point that you are using in order to help you prove a point. An argument is an idea that helps serve as evidence for another idea. In that sense, and argument is okay.
That being said let's look at a few misconceptions about debates...
[be]"Is it true that what I say in a debate is supposed to be long and perfectly thought out?"[/be]
No, that is not true one bit... the whole idea of a debate is to argue your points until you prove illogical flaws in the other party's arguments. If your arguments are not perfectly thought out then that doesn't mean you should not state them... it actually means you should state them so you can expand your knowledge on the topic via refutes against your arguments.
[be]"Debates are mean and usually make one side feel stupid."[/be]
Debates are not mean, they are an opportunity... an opportunity for you to enlighten yourself and others and an opportunity to take a stand against moral ignorance. A losing side usually never feels stupid for "losing" a debate, rather they are happy to have learned from a new standpoint.
[be]"Debates can not be won."[/be]
This is a debate within itself, but I personally would like to state that as long as you support your statements and ideas with logical arguments that catalyze as evidence for a point that you are trying to make, and can prove your point via this evidence... then yes, a debate can be won. Seeing as some topics such as "Can the existence of a creator be proved?" or "Is stem cell research immoral?" are damn near impossible to prove with incontrovertible logic, there are some debates that can not just be won. Most of the times the only types of debates that can be incontrovertibly won are those that fall under the "Philosophy", "Game Theory", or "Politics" categories, but mind you— even debates that fall under those can not be won a lot of times.
Okay, that clears up some misconceptions...
So now let's move on.
What is the best way to get started with debating?
Well, there are plenty of ways... one that I recommend is that you state one argument for one debate in each type of debate category, then after that start getting a feel for what kind of debating most appeals to you.
Remember, what you say in a debate does not have to be super long... just somewhat logical in the support of a point that you are trying to make.
To point you guys in the right direction though... here are some nice debates from each debate category that I highly recommend you make an argument in so that you can get used to debating with other members in the DYIN (debate your ideas now) community...
[be]Miscellaneous[/be]
Teen Culture + Media - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=miscellaneous&action=display&thread=914
Fear - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=miscellaneous&action=display&thread=924
Future of Humans - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=miscellaneous&action=display&thread=923
[be]Conspiracies[/be]
Is it racist? - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=conspiracy&action=display&thread=959
Global Warming - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=conspiracy&action=display&thread=955
What happened on 9/11/2001? - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=conspiracy&action=display&thread=956
[be]Religion[/be]
Can the existence of a god be proved? - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=religion&action=display&thread=975
Voluntary Conversion - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=religion&action=display&thread=970
God explains all? - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=religion&action=display&thread=968
[be]Philosophy[/be]
Up and Down - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=philosophy&action=display&thread=1113
PARADOX: Solar Powered Flashlight - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=philosophy&action=display&thread=1014
The car and it's headlights - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=philosophy&action=display&thread=1013
[be]Politics[/be]
Does the US government system actually work? - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=politics&action=display&thread=1032
Torture (by officials) - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=politics&action=display&thread=1033
Assisted Suicide/Voluntary Euthanasia - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=politics&action=display&thread=1030
[be]Morality[/be]
Abortions - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=morality&action=display&thread=1061
Homosexuality - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=morality&action=display&thread=1062
Evil Deeds/Good Intentions - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=morality&action=display&thread=1051
[be]Game Theory[/be]
Got Milk? - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gametheory&action=display&thread=1095
Prisoner's Dilemma - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gametheory&action=display&thread=1082
The boats and the bomb - dyin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gametheory&action=display&thread=1084
Once you have tried making an argument in each of those 21 debates, you are more than ready to start some of your own and become a respected member of our community.
Have fun, and remember that the goal is not to prove people wrong, but rather to enlighten!
Thank You,
-DYIN Staff
