Post by Tamrin on Feb 14, 2008 19:54:38 GMT
leonardo said:
maat said:
Who wins?tamrin said:
Reason and, hopefully, wisdom.Good answer, but the question was "who," not what.
Bro. Ma'at asked:
maat said:
I know we have had gladiators/terminators/Rambo's on the forum, and all probably really sweet underneath it all, but for me the forum is more about sharing knowledge, ideas, experiences - I am not into contests at all. Why? Who wins?Bro. Leo,
I guess the point here is that comparisons between participants in intellectually honest debates and "gladiators/terminators/Rambo's" is not in itself intellectually honest. Hopefully, WHAT prevails in a debate is ideas, not people, with all "sides" gaining something. That said, WHO prevails in a debate may be a concern where one has become attached to certain ideas and even identifies somewhat with them. Even so, IMO, that is their problem and the comparison with physical engagements goes too far. Provided we avoid ad hominem arguments and other intellectually dishonest tactics, such as advocating "open slather" (in a context which suggests an understanding of the term) only where it suits one's case and crying foul and advocating "harmony" when others dare question, I advocate: "Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend” (Mao Tse-Tung—in practice, he was not a good examplar of the principle).
IMO, asking someone to define their terms is a perfectly reasonable request.