This week, two discussions will be held dealing with two issues
that have provoked much disagreement. Today, a forum will be held
discussing the pros and cons of a war against Iraq in Simrall
Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, a seminar will be held on
creation science in Lee Auditorium at 7 p.m. If you can spare some
time, come and participate. Who knows? Maybe you’ll come to a
better understanding.
One of the first things I learned as an opinion writer is that
people have wildly differing opinions. Anyone who reads this
section has undoubtedly disagreed with the many of the opinions
expressed. Disagreement is a fact of life, and tolerance for
dissenting views is one of the great strengths of American society.
Furthermore, complete, unquestioning acceptance of one side of an
issue disregards one of the greatest tools for discovering the
right or best way to go about something: discussion and debate.
Discussion and debate are twin concepts central to a democratic
society. Discussions allow people of differing viewpoints to
present their ideas to each other in a friendly fashion. Debate is
the clash between two opposing ideas that may have been presented
in discussion. Protected by freedom of speech and press, Americans
may present their ideas and attack the ideas of others without fear
of reprisal. Discussion and debate have become an integral part in
how we decide issues, elect officials and settle disputes.
Discussion and debate allow for both sides of an issue to put
forth their viewpoints and ideas about the issue. By allowing each
side to present its position and criticize the opposing side’s
position, a debate allows people to see things from others’
viewpoints. Also, having someone else criticize one’s view often
illuminates fallacies in reasoning and in fact that one might have
missed. In some cases, a discussion or debate may actually change
someone’s mind completely. In others, it may only lead to an
increase in understanding between the differing sides.
Discussions and debates may have other effects as well. By
simply agreeing to discuss an issue, differing sides lay a
foundation for communication and tolerance that may prevent more
violent ways of settling a dispute. Civil behavior and respect for
opponents can often work to overcome prejudices between sides and
allow for understanding or even agreement where reasoning and logic
failed. Also, the conflict between two opposing sides of a debate
can lead to a whole new viewpoint that inherits the strengths but
not the weaknesses of both sides.
Civil discussion leads to tolerance, understanding and
agreement. Conversely, uncivil discussion or the absence of
discussion tends to lead to intolerance, misunderstanding and
disagreement. Thus, discussion and debate are necessary in a
culturally heterogeneous society such as our own. Furthermore,
debate must be carried on in civil manner to be beneficial. Being
rude or disrespectful during a discussion only antagonizes others
and burns any bridges that may have resulted from the discussion.
In fact, by promoting anger and misunderstanding between the two
parties, uncivil discussion is worse than no discussion at all.
Civil discussion and debate are twin pillars of peace and
communication in our society. They encourage understanding,
tolerance and agreement between differing viewpoints. Without civil
discussion, the communication void is filled with hate, prejudices
and misunderstanding. Participating in discussion is vital to the
promotion of goodwill and understanding in our society.
Nathan Alday is a senior aerospace engineering major.