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Discussion & debate: what are the differences?

The Emperor of Mankind

The Emperor of Mankind

Currently the galaxy's spookiest paraplegic
I'm going to lay my cards on the table: I don't think I understand the difference between the two in relation to RF. I see people disputing one another's points in sections like Interfaith Discussion but I notice the threads aren't moderated all that much.

That's not a criticism, a complaint or anything like that - just an observation that has led to my confusion. My point is clearly there is a difference between the two but, for the life of me, I just don't see it.
 
Deathbydefault

Deathbydefault

Apistevist Asexual Atheist
A Greased Scotsman said:
I'm going to lay my cards on the table: I don't think I understand the difference between the two in relation to RF. I see people disputing one another's points in sections like Interfaith Discussion but I notice the threads aren't moderated all that much.

That's not a criticism, a complaint or anything like that - just an observation that has led to my confusion. My point is clearly there is a difference between the two but, for the life of me, I just don't see it.
Click to expand...

Perspective?
 
Rival

Rival

se Dex me saut.
Staff member
Premium Member
A debate is where two or more people are going to disagree from the start and the purpose is for each to refute the other's claims.

In a discussion two or more people will not necessarily agree but are not trying to refute each other's claims either. I'd consider it similar to a 'conversation'.

Ex.

Debate:

A: The earth is flat.
B: No it isn't, we have technology that can show us...
A: Can you show me proof? I believe that NASA is an organisation that lies and the moon landing was faked.
B: No, NASA does not lie. Look at this link......they recently just.....thus proving your claims fals.
Sovietchild: What is wrong with those people who think the earth is flat?


Discussion:

A: The earth is flat.
B: Oh really? What has led you to believe this?
A: Well, I think NASA lies to us and [insert flat earth reason].
B: Oh that's interesting. I never thought about that before. I still think that the earth is a sphere though.
Sovietchild: Do you believe in UFOs?
 
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questfortruth

questfortruth

Well-Known Member
A Greased Scotsman said:
I'm going to lay my cards on the table: I don't think I understand the difference between the two in relation to RF. I see people disputing one another's points in sections like Interfaith Discussion but I notice the threads aren't moderated all that much.

That's not a criticism, a complaint or anything like that - just an observation that has led to my confusion. My point is clearly there is a difference between the two but, for the life of me, I just don't see it.
Click to expand...
Discussion - logical, mindful, the calm. Debate - illogical, hasty, with negative emotions.
 
Wirey

Wirey

Fartist
Discussion is when we agree I'm right. Debate is when you're too stupid to know I'm right and I have to crush your puny intellect with my big, juicy brain (in case any zombies are out there I thought I'd see if I could throw them a little something).
 
LuisDantas

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
My understanding of it is that, ideally, discussion aims to present ideas without losing sight of the possible emotional impact of same and without much of an intent of taking sides about their validity.

By contrast, debate involves some form of statement about the validity of the ideas presented and may drift into confrontation if it is done without a measure of care.
 
Valjean

Valjean

Veteran Member
Premium Member
questfortruth said:
Discussion - logical, mindful, the calm. Debate - illogical, hasty, with negative emotions.
Click to expand...
Debate: Formal, mathematical, analytic, guided by the unemotional rules of logic.
Discussion: Informal, freewheeling, not designed for critical analysis.
 
U

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
A Greased Scotsman said:
I'm going to lay my cards on the table: I don't think I understand the difference between the two in relation to RF. I see people disputing one another's points in sections like Interfaith Discussion but I notice the threads aren't moderated all that much.

That's not a criticism, a complaint or anything like that - just an observation that has led to my confusion. My point is clearly there is a difference between the two but, for the life of me, I just don't see it.
Click to expand...

Discussions can offer differences of opinion. Just some people don't know the difference between that and a debate. I mean, I notice in debates on RF it gets heated. Debates are actually just making an opinion and backing them by facts to prove the validity of your point. Debate is proving yourself right. Argument is proving the other person wrong. Discussion has no proof but we can talk about our differences without proof.

Discussion is more interesting when we talk about our different perspectives on a topic(s). But I agree, it does look like a debate. The only ones who would know are the people conversing, though.

Anyway, who knows. I never liked RF's definition of debate vs. discussion. That's just me.
 
P

pearl

Well-Known Member
I think of debate as an argument that does not require listening to the other side, the aim is to win. As for discussion I consider that a dialogue, which requires actual listening and consideration of the other side. A dialogue assumes respect for the other's view,
 
Sunstone

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
A debate is where you and another person mutually seek to refute each other's ideas, most often without bothering to understand them.
A discussion is where you and another person mutually seek to understand each other's ideas without bothering to refute them. As Rival mentioned, discussions are more like genuine conversations than they are like debates. They are also the rarest of all things on RF.
 
Revoltingest

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Wirey said:
Discussion is when we agree I'm right. Debate is when you're too stupid to know I'm right and I have to crush your puny intellect with my big, juicy brain (in case any zombies are out there I thought I'd see if I could throw them a little something).
Click to expand...
Where does probing fit in?
 
Revoltingest

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Valjean said:
Debate: Formal, mathematical, analytic, guided by the unemotional rules of logic.
Discussion: Informal, freewheeling, not designed for critical analysis.
Click to expand...
You're close....

Debate:
You're full of poop!
No, your problem is you're full of poop!
Go find a link to prove me right!
Poopy head!
Read this link!
http:/huffingtonpost/fullofpoop.org

Discussion:
When did you first realize you're full of poop?
No, you are full of poop!

But I think Rival's post is best.
 
ImmortalFlame

ImmortalFlame

Woke gremlin
A Greased Scotsman said:
I'm going to lay my cards on the table: I don't think I understand the difference between the two in relation to RF. I see people disputing one another's points in sections like Interfaith Discussion but I notice the threads aren't moderated all that much.

That's not a criticism, a complaint or anything like that - just an observation that has led to my confusion. My point is clearly there is a difference between the two but, for the life of me, I just don't see it.
Click to expand...
It's largely semantic. I would say that "discussion" is a broad term that encompasses "debate", so it's not inaccurate to refer to one as the other, really. I would define them as follows:

Discussion: An exchange of views.

Debate: An exchange of views intended to determine which, if any, view is more likely to be correct or reasonable.
 
Kilgore Trout

Kilgore Trout

Misanthropic Humanist
Discussion is what people do when they get together in real life and talk about topics for edification and enjoyment.

Debate is what people do when they get together in real life, in a formalized setting designed to allow for the proposal of views and counter-views, in order to sway opinions (of the other debater, or an audience/judges).

It's rare to see either of those things on RF. Primarily, you'll see either quarreling or preaching. Either way, people are rarely interested in actually hearing anyone else's opinion, unless it's one they already agree with.
 
Stevicus

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
A Greased Scotsman said:
I'm going to lay my cards on the table: I don't think I understand the difference between the two in relation to RF. I see people disputing one another's points in sections like Interfaith Discussion but I notice the threads aren't moderated all that much.

That's not a criticism, a complaint or anything like that - just an observation that has led to my confusion. My point is clearly there is a difference between the two but, for the life of me, I just don't see it.
Click to expand...

Other than a formal debate, which might focus on a specific questions/topics, an agreed upon format, a time limit, a certain set of rules - along with a panel of judges - then everything else is really just a "discussion."

The other term that always amuses me is "argument," since it has multiple definitions. It can mean two or more people yelling and angry at each other, then saying "We're not having an argument; it's a 'discussion.'" Then the other is an attempt at using reason to persuade someone of a certain view - something one might do in a debate. But then people might start yelling anyway. Then it's no longer a debate - it's a discussion.
 
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