Thursday, January 14, 2010

Dialogue Vs. Debate

Dialogue is collaborative. Multiple sides work towards shared understanding.
Debate is appositional. Two opposing sides try to prove each other wrong.
In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to find common ground.
In debate, one listens to find flaws, to spot differences, and to counter arguments.
Dialogue enlarges and possibly changes a participant's view.
Debate affirms a participant's point of view.
Dialogue reveals assumptions for reevaluation.
Debate defends assumptions as truth.
Dialogue creates an open-minded attitude, an openness to being wrong and an openness to change.
Debate creates a close-minded attitude, a determination to be right.
In dialogue, one submits one's best thinking, expecting that the reflections of others will help improve it rather than threaten it.
In debate, one submits one's best thinking and defends it against a challenge to show that it is right.
In dialogue, one searches for the strengths in all positions.
In debate, one searches for the weaknesses in the other positions.
Dialogue respects all the other participants and seeks not to alienate or offend.
Debate rebuts contrary positions and may belittle or deprecate other participants.
Dialogue assumes that many people have pieces of answers and that cooperation can lead to workable solutions.
Debate assumes a single right answer that someone already has.
Dialogue remains open-ended.
Debate demands a conclusion.

from: Peter Winchell, Consultant. Socratic Seminars West.

1 comment:

Arnold Stieber said...

Good job - on two counts! Your blog and working in a high poverty area. Dialogue is key to moving this nation on the right path. The corporate media is not doing it. Peace - Gandhi style. WarisSlavery.blogspot.com