# Reasons for debating? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 19, 2002, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-debating/137625 "2002-11-19T22:19:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-debating/137625/21 "2002-11-20T13:03:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cognoscente \* > **Also, I’m surprised that nobody came up with this explanation: Sometimes I argue vehemently about something because I’m not really convinced about it myself. After all, does it really matter if someone disagrees with my viewpoint?** Perhaps if I had spelled ‘weakly’ right… ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Whynotski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/958977/32.png) [@Agent\_Whynotski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Whynotski)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-debating/137625/22 "2002-11-20T18:02:26Z")
> [@](#): > > In other words, are the debates primarily benign pastimes (many of which are entertaining) or do they serve some other purpose? The skills that I have developed through participation in various debate forums are becoming quite useful when I find myself in an argument with my spouse. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-debating/137625/23 "2002-11-20T18:35:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Agent Whynotski \* > \*\*The skills that I have developed through participation in various debate forums are becoming quite useful when I find myself in an argument with my spouse. \*\* Funny, I hadn’t noticed you buying chocolates and flowers for the other debaters. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-debating/137625/24 "2002-11-20T19:07:07Z")
Sometimes I am convinced to modify my view by the process of debate. In both directions. Let me illustrate - I got into a debate about gun control. Before engaging I weakly held the position that some gun control was reasonable and had a sense that more guns was correlated with more deaths. I also felt that most guns rights advocated were loons. After the debate I had researched the issues and felt very strongly that wide gun availability increased the rate of homicide. My view now had some depth that it previously did not have. I also changed my view of the gun rights advocates. Sure, there are a few loons among them, but many have good reasons for concluing how they do, even if I conclude differently. I have a greater respect for their position than previously, even though I more strongly disagree than ever. It possibly has to do with how we enjoy learning - as a passive endevour or as part of an active process gathering information and arguments of utility. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-debating/137625/25 "2002-11-20T22:58:23Z")
As a teacher, I’d like to point out that all of your reasons for debate are the reasons that some of us advocate much more conversation - debate/discussion - in classrooms. It is an educative, social event, destined to make us all better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-debating/137625.md?page=1)