Is it right to debate when you know the debate will be heated?
As long as my contributions don´t get heated...
Is it right to debate knowing that you can sometimes get too angry with people for their posts and lash out?
I don´t get angry. Discussion and debate is for arguments, not for emotions.
I think these virtual online discussions are a great exercise for that.
The point of this thread? Discuss the ethics and morality of debating, both from a Christian and nonChristian perspective.
Never argue ad hominem;
don´t knowingly use flawed arguments;
listen to what the person opposite has to say;
keep in mind that a word never means the same to any two persons;
for an offense to be successfully inflicted on you, you have to take offense; if you don´t take offense there is no offense.
if tempted to interprete something the person says as offensive, try to find a more positive interpretation and ask what he really meant to say.
If the other person doesn´t get what you say, work from the assumption that you have explained yourself poorly (don´t assume that the other person is dense or even misrepresents you intentionally).
If you don´t get what the other person says work from the assumption that you are missing something.
If you are not sure you understand correctly, paraphrase what you have understood the other person saying and ask her whether this paraphrasing is accurate.
Often and early ask for definitions of the terms the other person uses. Consider her statements by applying these definitions, rather than yours.
These are some of the basic guidelines which I found helpful for discussing productively, and which I try to keep in mind (but sometimes forget about).
For me it´s got nothing to do with ethics or morality, but rather with being aware of my own best interests.
I have no idea what your religion might have to do with it.
