Rules For Debate

I think I’m lucky.  I grew up in a family that respected intelligent, friendly debate about all issues.  A family where any viewpoint could be heard, challenged, and discussed without fear of hostility or anger.  The Boy made fun of me  a little bit when I told him once that we actually make coffee and watch Meet The Press on Sunday mornings together.  And while the "press" is talking, so are we.  Talking about social issues and fiscal policy.  Apparently normal American families don’t do that.

Of course, normal American families, aren’t necessarily like mine.  My mother comes from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had a mother who was very liberal.  My father insists that the proper word is “socialist,” but that’s because he comes from a family that’s very conservative.  He spent his youth on a farm on the west side of  Michigan.  Needless to say, the two of them disagree on a lot because of their opposing political views.  (Oh, the Obama vs. McCain debates in 2008.  The ones in my house.  Not on the news.) 

Not everyone can discuss immigration laws, drug reform, abortion law, and gay rights at their breakfast table on Saturday morning.  Which is why I think many people don’t know how to have these discussions.  I’ve found that many people simply react with immediate hostility and defensive behavior when someone proposes a view which is contrary to their own.  They jump to defend their belief system by saying “You’re WRONG!”  instead of, “Here’s why I’m right.”  And eventually that debate devolves into nothing more than name-calling and he said/she said.

Being that law students often find themselves having to debate the motions and acts of a Congress we may not always agree with, I’ve put together a list of how to behave in friendly, open debate:

 1.  Assume that no one’s position is 100% right.  Including your own.  Everyone’s viewpoint is colored by personal background, religious belief, and facts that you don’t know or can’t understand.

2.   You don’t get to tell anyone they’re wrong.  Unless you can tell them why.  If your response isn’t at least two sentences long, don’t write your thoughts. 

 3.   Remember where you are.  This is friendly, intelligent discourse.  It should never be taken as a personal attack, but rather an opportunity to learn something you didn’t know.  Give points to your opponent(s) where due, take issue with them where you have issue with them, or request clarification if you’re unsure.

 4.  No swearing or finger-pointing.  Well, no swearing in a hostile way.  I have a mouth like a sailor sometimes (I am a sailor’s daughter), and I fully support the use of adjectival expletives, but don’t use them to demean anyone.  Also, no name-calling.  Because if you need to resort to name-calling, it makes your own argument look faulty.  And you don’t want that.

 5.  Learn.  Pay attention to what other people are talking about.  You may not agree with anyone else by the end, but you may gain a new perspective on the situation as a whole, which will allow you to defeat those same arguments when you have this discussion with someone else.

Now, shall we discuss the relative faults and merits of the death penalty system?

What are your rules for debate?  What have you noticed to be a problem when you debate other people?  Sound off below!