Is debating/arguing effective?

Look at all the times you debated with someone, and think about the end result of each debate and what problems were solved. I think the most likely outcome is that no problems were solved at all. Therefore what is the point of arguing and debating? I think it would be to convert other people to your point of view. But out of all my years of debating, I have never had my opponent admit to me that they were wrong and I was right.

So then is arguing with people really the right way of solving problems? I think that in order for a solution to the problem to be reached, both sides must be willing to admit they are wrong and both sides must be willing to accept the truth even if they don't like it. I find that most people that argue almost always lack this quality.

Another thing that happens, is when people engage in debate, they get pushed on a side and have to defend that side in the argument. This will skew their views and make them biased.

Also, I have noticed that when people engage in argument, new things get added to the argument after each person speaks and the argument goes off into nowhere and both sides forget what they were originally arguing about in the first place. I have noticed this happen to me many times.

Eventually what happens is both sides get tired of arguing and just stop replying, or give up and say some insulting remark and tell them that they can't change their views, etc.

For these reasons I gave up debating for a while but did it every so often when I was bored. But now the only good thing I see out of debating is that it makes you search for information to defend your point of view, which makes you learn more and you become a more knowledgeable person.

Now instead of debating, I think it will save way more time and nerves if both sides simply looked for one solution together. This means jotting down possiblities and probabilities and seeing which outcome will look more rational and reasonable. I think this more organized method will eliminate most bias and anger towards each other, and will actually lead to a conclusion.

 

i beleive so because it makes people really think about what it is they said. and can cause them to change there minds.

 

its a matter of opinion and winning them over to your way of thinking thats all