Last week, I had a long debate on various subjects. Ideological beliefs prevented a joint conclusion. The debate was merely an exercise in sharpening our pre-existing opinions. The same phenomenon can be viewed in (Dutch) parliament and/or in the UN General Assembly.
Hence, my question: what’s the benefit of debating? Is it better to keep our opinions to ourselves?
The arguments and opinions, which we use in debating, are often subjective truths that are based on our selective choice of objective truths – a.k.a. uncontested facts. Also see my 2019 blog: Our search for the truth, and my 2020 blog The blurring of facts and opinions.
My question above reminds me of a Dutch saying: “Ouders leren kinderen spreken, kinderen leren ouders zwijgen”. This translates like “parents teach children to speak, children teach parents to be silent”. A Czech proverb gives a slightly different perspective and an answer to my question above: “Our parents taught us to speak and the world taught us to be silent”.
Perhaps, our fondness of debating is related to our fondness of gaming. Playing (psychological) games is essential for the development of humans and young mammals (eg, ResearchGate-2010, Pediatrics-2007, APA-2014, ScienceDirect-2018). Winning arguments feels like achieving a victory. Hence, the (former) popularity of student debating clubs and debating societies.
How does debating fit in the new Great Divide between Ideology and Pragmatism?
My 1st paragraph above gives a part of the answer: debating is a waste of breath in case of ideological beliefs. Debating in times of pragmatism could be beneficial to society. I’m using the word could as Chinese pragmatism shows the ideological limits of debating some issues (AP).
On 3 August 2020, I wrote my blog Taking a break. I was mentally exhausted from the corona debate, including my participation. I had to accept the truth: about 75% of people have a micro view compared to my macro perspective (my blogs on micro vs macro).
In a culture of fear, ideological beliefs provide a (false) sense of security. Pragmatism is a nuisance to those believers. The real problem is me: I like to fight for my (many pragmatic and some ideological) beliefs. Also see my 2016 blog: Your own worst enemy.
Your Own Worst Enemy (2007) by Bruce Springsteen
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise.
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