I used to be more aggressive when debating topics with friends. I would present my views with vigor and hope that we might negotiate a consensus after refining one another's arguments, until we had distilled what was agreeable and what we lack information to agree on. To quote a friend, I could "bulldoze" people, though.
Over the last year, I've done a better job of creating judgement-free environments, where someone can share their feelings or thoughts on topics and feel comfortable, even if I don't entirely degree. It's really important for someone to feel comfortable when discussing controversial topics if I want them to encourage them to converse with me and express themselves.
I feel like productive discussion is still had. I don't have to always worry about logical validity. I can still help refine others' arguments with more than just criticisms; I can help them articulate what they mean and ask them questions about the parts that don't seem right. I enjoy the consequences.
Over the last year, I've done a better job of creating judgement-free environments, where someone can share their feelings or thoughts on topics and feel comfortable, even if I don't entirely degree. It's really important for someone to feel comfortable when discussing controversial topics if I want them to encourage them to converse with me and express themselves.
I feel like productive discussion is still had. I don't have to always worry about logical validity. I can still help refine others' arguments with more than just criticisms; I can help them articulate what they mean and ask them questions about the parts that don't seem right. I enjoy the consequences.
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