1069

It would be cool if we could have some debates where we played Devil's Advocate and took the position diametrically opposed to the one we generally take.
You know?
Like, just as a f'rinstance, if we had a debate where I argued the prolife position, and somebody like Felicity argued for prochoice.
Or Navy Pride argued for gay rights, with - oh, I dunno, Jallman or somebody opposing them.
Or like some liberal could argue for "staying the course" in Iraq, with Topsez or some other avid warmonger arguing the "bring em home" position.

I know this sounds silly at first glance, but I think we could learn a lot about the other side that way... it's important to have a multi-faceted perception of issues, not a one-dimensional one. In order to do that you have to see all sides.
The thing is, when arguing a position you don't agree with, you'd have to try- really try- to be as persuasive as possible.
You couldn't do a parody of your ideological adversary.
This game is not meant to be funny, or sarcastic, or a way to mock your adversaries.
It's a way to become them, to get inside their heads and see what they're about.
I think it would be fun and educational.

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Roberdorus

Okay, I'll go first for the pro-choice side:

You're a women-hater

Billo_Really

When I was in college, my speech teacher had us do an exercise where two people would debate an issue with one requirement:

• You could not state your position, until you could state their position, back to them, to their satisfaction.

Thus, forcing you to put the shoe on the other foot.

This is also one of the tools in Imago Therapy. Which helps couples communicate more effectively with each other without feeling threatened or attacked.

I think your on to something.

__________________

"With neocons, it just goes to show, when the
bar is low enough, you can never be too wrong!"

1069

Not in this thread, you big silly goose.

Groovy. I think so too.

vauge

I love this idea!!

I wonder how we could implement this on broad level?

vauge

Hrmm - we could add another forum like private debates.

But, we are currently not getting much attention there.

Would breaking them out of 'sub' forums help?

vauge

Contests forum has been renamed - Battle Grounds and Disputations.

Reverse Debates are up. Let's see what you can do.

CaptainCourtesy

This is actually how I learned to debate, and how I do it to this day. I do research supporting the opposing premise and then find more research refuting it. It takes much longer, but it gives you a great overall understanding of the topic and helps you to really strengthen your position. It is what I call the Judo method of Debate. You use your opponent's strength against him/her. A very powerful style.

I would also be interested in doing this.

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davideyoung

I think it is a good idea. It may allow us to see better where the other sied is coming from , which will help when we try to debate our side later.

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David E. Young
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Felicity

My only reservation is that I know what arguments work best against my own position, and I'd get frustrated when the "reversed other-side" eventually resorts to the emotional/subjective stereotype that most pro-choicers come to the debate assuming of their opposition and it would degenerate into a mocking caricature of the rational pro-life position. Frankly--I don't trust 1069 to offer her best effort if she sees an opportunity to deride--I don't think she has the restraint.

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