What is a debate really?

[Randy]

What is a debate on a forum really?

 

[Kasynlie]

A civil argument?

 

[Skillet]

A civil argument?

Is this up for debate?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

In a debate you present your opposing arguments against the other person's opinions and not personally attack each other. Isn't that how a debate is supposed to work?



I think it's possible to be passionate about something while actually sticking to the subject of the topic instead of resorting to childish name calling and making false assumptions about the other person.

 

[Kasynlie]

>> Main Entry: 1de·bate

Pronunciation: di-?b?t, d?-

Function: noun

Date: 13th century



: a contention by words or arguments: as a : the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure b : a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides



>> Main Entry: 2debate

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): de·bat·ed; de·bat·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere

Date: 14th century



intransitive verb 1 obsolete : fight, contend

2 a : to contend in words b : to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments

3 : to participate in a debatetransitive verb 1 a : to argue about <the subject was hotly debated> b : to engage (an opponent) in debate

2 : to turn over in one's mind <he's still debating what to do>

synonyms see discuss



— de·bate·ment -?b?t-m?nt noun



— de·bat·er noun