Polite Disagreement

[JohnBM01]

Here is a scenario. Someone on a radio show makes a point on a controversial issue. Two people call in to the station. Both people disagreed on the points made in the argument. One person was disagreeing and righting the debator's wrongs by saying something like "you know, I've heard everything you said, but I don't think I agree with you." The other caller said this about the debator, "damn, man/woman. You're an idiot. What? You got Alzheimer's disease or something? You don't sound so smart now with that diploma that you got by sleeping with your college's/university's president for, do you? So, here's what I think about this issue..."

As you can tell, one's trying to be polite and respectful while the other is a sarcastic jackass. The art of disagreeing doesn't have to be distasteful and sarcastic. GTPlanet, offer your suggestions for polite disagreement so that if indeed someone disagrees with something, that ruthless attacking doesn't have to ensue.

 

[Party for GT4]

For once, we could try and avoid turning every normal debate on the use of guns, or America in Iraq into a crazed slanging match with everyone either calling each other 'mad' and 'Anti-American'.
To actually prove your point, you need to reason in a way that will slowly turn the other person's view round. All right, I haven't always done it, at first when I posted on this forum, my replies were sometimes ridiculous, just stirring up more arguments, but this forum is called 'Opinions', not 'Mad, Screaming Lunatics Area' isn't it?

 

[Mike Rotch]

I gotta say, this is a bit of a silly topic. Offering someone advice on how to "argue politely"?

The way I see it, the manner in which people argue is a function of their age, personality and maturity. How can anyone convice a 14yr to not reply "U are such a ***** idiot!", but rather try something like "you know, I've heard everything you said, but I don't think I agree with you."? You cant. If their personality is such that they have no tact and/or grace in their debating style, what can you do?

Come on.

 

[Solid Lifters]

It's hard to argue politely, since doing it the other way is so much more fun.

But, about the radio, they have people who are being jerks on purpose; for entertainment value.

 

[Arwin]

I have to say that in general I find the debates here at GTPlanet pretty civilised. There are always exceptions, but that's what they are - exceptions.

And I rather have them on the other side of the debate as they usually just hurt the side they're defending, right or wrong.