Is debating becoming a lost art?

Question

It seems to me that more and more people are either rolling over and conceeding defeat so that they don't have to debate or simply using the excuse. "That is just how I feel" without giving any real reasoning. Why are people so offended when you question something they feel strongly about and yet they aren't willing to present a convincing argument?
Also are there any good debate forums out there for people who enjoy a good debate?

Answer 1

It was lost with my generation ( the people of the 60's ). Most rely on their emotions, what their friends say, or headlines for getting "facts" without trying to ask hard questions with difficult answers. Part of the blame in the USA rests with the fact that our educational system supports mediocrity. One out of 4 high school graduates can't name a European country or correctly answer the question of, "how many states are in the USA?" People here are concerned about 4 things - their ipods, cell phones, MP3 players and junk food.

Answer 2

Debate and argument are two separate entities. A debate isn't suppose to negate the other person's way of thinking, a true debate is just an expression of differing opinions or ideologies. On the other hand, an argument is the matching of wits with a end result of a victor and a defeated. A good debate is suppose to leave both sides with a deeper understand of the issues, not a bad taste in your mouth because one side was adamantly telling the other how wrong they are.

Answer 3

I think debating is a lost art. For example here. If a person dislikes your questions, they don't give relevant reasons why they do. They scream to the hills sexist, racist, or stupidity, and sacrilegious but never prove their point. They begin to spout childlike insults, post bible passages without using their own words, blame it on mother nature, LOL.

I think people have lost the ability to debate more-so because no one listens, people post comments without getting the whole understanding of the question being asked. Maybe it's too long, LOL. Some see something they dislike and move forward letting emotions rule instead of intelligence. Some people are just plain lost, because they don't even know the difference between debate and arguments.

Answer 4

As you can see by some of your answers, most people are either not capable, or do not understand what debate is. When someone has "faith" in something, no matter what it might be, then all arguments to the contrary are not "debate" to that individual, they become an insult or a put down. This is the kind of thing that got Galileo locked up in a tower for the rest of his life, and it is sad that so many people still have that mentality today.

Answer 5

YES!!!
i believe that debating has become a lost art and it's become a way for people to harrass others about thier political affiliation...these days people hide behind the word debate to start a real argument or make harrassing comments....
a debate is a civilized way to express your political views and describe how you would take care of certain issues better than your opponent would....
a debate is also timed and has a numerous amount of rules.
People calling each other names like they do on this forum because they don't believe in the same religion or politics is not debate...it's harrassment plain and simple.

Answer 6

I like to debate as well, I have realized that some people can never give a convincing argument for their points of view, I want to see statistics/facts. You can check online for debate forums

Answer 7

I think debating is a lost art because so many schools are not teaching our kids how to speak properly or make a convincing argument for their opioion. I was taught decorum and how to be articulate in a home economics course. I do not know if they still teach classes on that in jr.high or high school anymore.

Answer 8

Depends on who you hang out with HOMEBOY. On the street,
people get loud and hostile when their argument ain't chit.
Maybe that's why so many are intimidated.
In church it's the same. Because people don't really study their
beliefs, and lack conviction. Therefore they feel threatened by
things they think are wrong, without realizing it's the same thing
they are supposed to believe.
Then again, there are think tanks. Community groups where you
might find mature people who have communications skills.
Most people tend to belittle another persons point of view,
before they express their own. They think that will make their
view look better. It just pisses people off.
I believe in a free exchange of ideas. You say what you think.
And I say what I think. And avoid all that who's right and wrong.
That chit's TRIX, and TRIX are for kids.

Answer 9

We in no way gained it interior the 1st place. There has not been a era in American historic previous the place the traditional human beings easily debated actual coverage and coverage-consequences via fact the traditional human beings don't have the background to truly understand what's happening. This has left it as much as intellectuals and the media. The media in no way incredibly cared. it is, in spite of each thing, a employer. they prefer money, not uninteresting coverage motives approximately issues human beings don't comprehend besides. So incredibly, the only ones left are the intellectuals. i'd recommend that intellectuals are in all risk too clever to get their palms grimy in some thing ridiculous like politics. i'd additionally recommend that there is this weird and wonderful resentment in direction of intellectuals in u.s.; some form of hostility. purely having too plenty practise makes it greater durable for individuals to vote for you, and individuals will attack you for it. so because it is my place. i don't understand what idyllic age you're going lower back to, yet i don't think of it ever existed. We lost a protracted time in the past.

Answer 10

What forums?! I'm interested! :)
People get offended beause of their lack of sensitivity. You have to be sensitive and considerate for other's feelings without passing JUDGEMENT.
I like to argue! LOL!
Of course, anything that requires hard work is becoming harder to enjoy... why? Most people want the easy way out, which is not GODLY.