How do you debate without making someone feel inferior?

Question

How do I catch myself and stop it from happening?

I really do not mean to make anyone feel that way.

Answer 1

If they feel inferior, it's their own problem. Seriously? Worry about being a good debater. Don't use ad hominems or lies. The rest is up to them.

Answer 2

People feeling inferior at times is unavoidable. You personally cannot control the other persons level of knowledge or passion (or whatever quality they feel they lack). The problem with philosophy type debates is that EVERYONE thinks they have a valid opinion, when often-times they don't. The common consensus is one of "its my opinion so you can't say its wrong", and that idea will quite literally be the foundation upon which the rest of their ideas rely for stability. The problem is that for people like this, critical debate is not their objective. They make the common pleb mistake of seeing philosophy as one of those "safe and fluffy" type subjects, like "favourite music" or "tv shows", where any opinion is a valid opinion, and as such are expecting for that opinion to be validated (by your acceptance of it). Of course the opposite is true and the result is often the problem of which you speak, along with a whole host of other negative reactions.



The most important thing is to know when the person you're talking to is a serious thinker, or if they're just looking for a pat on the head.

Answer 3

Well first you listen to them respectfully, and make sure you understand what they're saying. In political debates (especially) we often see one side or the other deliberately mischaracterizing what the other side says, just to make them look ridiculous.



Secondly, you should be quick to express your agreement with the things you do actually agree with. As it was said in the Monty Python Argument Clinic sketch, an argument is not simply contradicting anything the other person says. After hearing his argument, you tell him which points you agree with, and which points you don't, and why.



Thirdly, you speak respectfully. You don't say 'Boy, that's really stupid!' or 'You're an idiot!' You say "Well here's why I disagree," and then you explain it in a gentlemanly way. You appeal to logic, not emotions.



Politics today has become really no more than an insult contest. People who listen to Fox News or right-wing talk radio get the idea that the person who gets in the best -zingers- wins. They are obviously not interested in giving you both sides of the story in a non-biased way, and letting you decide for yourself. Instead they tell you what to think. People who listen to these programs are often not even aware that there's another side to the story. People who are used to this political culture are almost useless to debate with because they see politeness and civility as capitulation. But REAL debate rests on politeness and civility, mutual respect and understanding. Disagreeing without being disagreeable.

Answer 4

The other responses are correct; BUT, how you can go about alleviating the 'inferiority' of others is a bit more difficult. First, enter into it with the understanding that it is a perfectly human trait to have "complexes" of that sort, even if they are latent. There's no need to draw them out or ostracize others for having them. However, if you make it known that you are simply expounding on a subject or a particular argument, for the argument's sake, and not some ulterior motive, of undermining their intelligence/knowledge presumably, then you avoid the inherent risk of conflict with these people.

Now, that, too, is not always as easy as it may sound; but, at some point, you may have to simply realize that not EVERYONE is going to agree, or go along with, everything you make points about. It sounds as though you may need to work on that first part, by realizing that people are naturally going to have a natural 'defense mechanism' to ideas that counter theirs. If you realize this going in, though, as I said, simply quell their worries by explaining why the point is valid, regardless of their views, or how their views may (to you) seem invalid. There's an old saying: "You catch more bees with honey, than with vinegar." Roughly, play nice, and you won't ruffle so many feathers, and people will be more receptive to your position(s).

Answer 5

Argue the Issue. If and when your competitor resorts to the ad hominem argument, or any logical fallacy, continue to attack the issue. Often it's the person that makes themselves feel inferior, not you.

Answer 6

First --- I never debate----



The difficulty in communications between individual

is too much to deal with.



To prevent misunderstanding is almost impossible,

as to causing a feeling of inferiority in someone,

unless you are being insulting, deliberately,

you may never know the reason one feels inferior.

Answer 7

partically agreeing with the first who answered this question along with stating that you can't avoid anything related to what you just stated without making some feel inreior or having any feelings at all

Answer 8

remember debate isnt a fight

its a conversation, just with a tiny bit more effort

you dont have to argue, or fight, or even be right, youjust have to talk and be happy to listen as well, like any conversation

;-)

Answer 9

people choose to feel inferior about themselves or their experiences...sorry you cannot take the credit for their choices..

Answer 10

attack the problem, not the person