Is This Website Useful for Society?
Does arguing on this website do anything to benefit society or humanity, or is it just another way to let off steam?
Are we helping the world or wasting our time?
Yes
Side Score: 11
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No
Side Score: 2
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1
point
Createdebate is not entirely useful for society because it doesn't solve real world problems because nobody on the site has any power or influence in decision-making otherwise, he would not be on the site, however, it does allow anyone the opportunity to express their subjective views on issues that concern them on the internet, yet nobody really gains anything. Side: yes
1
point
To continually debate over the same topics , submitting the same or similar "argument" , usually gathered through same or similar educational sources such as documented assumed or proven facts only continues to teach us what we already know or are capable of learning , it limits our advancement in knowledge. "argument" however requires both the above , and oppinion , but lets just call it , "gossip" ? Which is detrimental to our advancement in education of knowledge which may just be found chatting to someone at the bus stop or even in a bar; "Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what was considered important to the people. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs and bars who were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. "You go sip here" and "You go sip there." The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and thus, we have the term "gossip." Sorry i forgot where i found this ^ but it is fact. So why should this valueble source of education , gossip , be excluded from CD. Side: yes
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I was excited when I first discovered this website. Debating can be fun and rewarding, and I looked forward to finding a community of people who were willing to engage in serious discussion of important issues. For a debate to be useful, I would argue that two things are required: 1) Each debater must reflect on this issue at hand. This requires critical thought and attention to the views of the other side. If the debater has not reflected on his or her position, then he or she is merely sharing an uncritical opinion, which can not add anything to the debate but wasted space. 2) Each debater must support his or her position. This is why they call it an "argument" and not an "opinion." For something to be an argument, it must contain a central point and some supporting justification for that point. For example, I am arguing that "this website is not useful for society". To support my argument, I am first defining what I think makes for a useful debate, and then using my observations to support my argument that the debates here do not satisfy my criteria. Here are my observations: To be fair, maybe 20% of members here has both something insightful to say, and a logical argument to back up his or her opinion. Perhaps 40% Have something reflective and insightful to say but no logical argument to support their views. The last 40% seem to come here simply to spout off the common opinions of our day, without any critical reflection or attempt to support themselves. Because of the general lack of either reflection or support for arguments, I would argue that the debates here are about as useful to society as an argument in a bar or pub. That is to say, not very useful at all. Please use this debate to prove me wrong. Side: No
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