Can I find a Forum
Moderator: Moderators
Can I find a Forum
Post #1The point scoring thing is good fun and interesting. I am having some problems getting the most out of this site. Can you tell me if it is possible to find a forum where the debating premise that somebody has to be right and somebody wrong is not used, just so that I can find out what actually people think. It would be good ground work for debates as well as very interesting.
-
Goat
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 24999
- Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:09 pm
- Has thanked: 25 times
- Been thanked: 207 times
Re: Can I find a Forum
Post #2The General Chat subforum would be good for that.. as well as you can have 'one on one discussions' in another subforum.Baz wrote:The point scoring thing is good fun and interesting. I am having some problems getting the most out of this site. Can you tell me if it is possible to find a forum where the debating premise that somebody has to be right and somebody wrong is not used, just so that I can find out what actually people think. It would be good ground work for debates as well as very interesting.
“What do you think science is? There is nothing magical about science. It is simply a systematic way for carefully and thoroughly observing nature and using consistent logic to evaluate results. So which part of that exactly do you disagree with? Do you disagree with being thorough? Using careful observation? Being systematic? Or using consistent logic?�
Steven Novella
Steven Novella
-
Zzyzx
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 25089
- Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:38 pm
- Location: Bible Belt USA
- Has thanked: 40 times
- Been thanked: 73 times
Re: Can I find a Forum
Post #3.
Making a point (presenting sound argument) is the objective of debate and discussion.
An alternative to that mode of thinking is "Open Sum Thinking" (or games) in which "rewards" are NOT limited, and in which all can "come out ahead". This is an example of cooperation.
I approach these debates and discussions with the latter attitude. That said, however, I challenge and criticize CLAIMS presented as truthful and accurate when they cannot be shown to be either. The "point" is to call attention of readers to flaws in arguments containing unsubstantiated claims.
That said, many people are uncomfortable in a debate environment, and may be more comfortable in discussion sub-forums, perhaps those intended to be “friendly� or exclusive to their personal point of view (or beliefs or convictions) and where challenge and criticism are limited or prohibited.
Some debaters are more forthright than others and some are more capable of expressing their thoughts. Several members are outstanding in both regards – Cnorman, Slopeshoulder, Theopoesis, Flail, JoeyK, Bernee come to mind immediately (no slight intended to anyone who should be mentioned). There is little doubt about the “thinking� (debate positions) expressed by those people.
What else about their thinking would you desire to know?
The "point scoring thing" exists only in the minds of those who choose to see things in that light.Baz wrote:The point scoring thing is good fun and interesting.
Making a point (presenting sound argument) is the objective of debate and discussion.
"Somebody is right and somebody is wrong" is a function of "Zero Sum Thinking" (or zero sum games) in which the "rewards" are limited and in which each "win" must be offset by corresponding "loss" elsewhere. This is the mantra of competition.Baz wrote:I am having some problems getting the most out of this site. Can you tell me if it is possible to find a forum where the debating premise that somebody has to be right and somebody wrong is not used,
An alternative to that mode of thinking is "Open Sum Thinking" (or games) in which "rewards" are NOT limited, and in which all can "come out ahead". This is an example of cooperation.
I approach these debates and discussions with the latter attitude. That said, however, I challenge and criticize CLAIMS presented as truthful and accurate when they cannot be shown to be either. The "point" is to call attention of readers to flaws in arguments containing unsubstantiated claims.
That said, many people are uncomfortable in a debate environment, and may be more comfortable in discussion sub-forums, perhaps those intended to be “friendly� or exclusive to their personal point of view (or beliefs or convictions) and where challenge and criticism are limited or prohibited.
I doubt that we can ever know “what actually people think�, though we may approach that with some people in some situations.Baz wrote:just so that I can find out what actually people think. It would be good ground work for debates as well as very interesting.
Some debaters are more forthright than others and some are more capable of expressing their thoughts. Several members are outstanding in both regards – Cnorman, Slopeshoulder, Theopoesis, Flail, JoeyK, Bernee come to mind immediately (no slight intended to anyone who should be mentioned). There is little doubt about the “thinking� (debate positions) expressed by those people.
What else about their thinking would you desire to know?
.
Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
Post #4
Zzyzy
Thank you for your interest in this post. Across several threads it appears you are genuinely trying to help me use this site while obviously holding very different views. (Thanks again)
I can find the adversarial system of debate obstructive in gaining insight into people’s beliefs. (OK so there are probably better places to look for this
)
I have a genuine interest in what people believe across all religions, so I was wondering if a forum was available where ideas beliefs etc. were discussed on a sort of pre debate level (somewhere where you can ask people to sort of expand on beliefs rather than have to defend their points of view)
It’s difficult to explain what I was looking for and anyway I realise now that it’s just a question of reading enough threads and possibly following one or two members who appear interesting.
It was suggested that I try the Holy huddle, Thanks Goat..... I have been watching some threads but I don’t think it would actually suit me to post there. (Some stuff can get a bit heavy)
Any way I will try to start small, learn as I go and so on.
I look forward to some debate proper supposing I can be interesting enough.
Thank you for your interest in this post. Across several threads it appears you are genuinely trying to help me use this site while obviously holding very different views. (Thanks again)
I can find the adversarial system of debate obstructive in gaining insight into people’s beliefs. (OK so there are probably better places to look for this
) I have a genuine interest in what people believe across all religions, so I was wondering if a forum was available where ideas beliefs etc. were discussed on a sort of pre debate level (somewhere where you can ask people to sort of expand on beliefs rather than have to defend their points of view)
It’s difficult to explain what I was looking for and anyway I realise now that it’s just a question of reading enough threads and possibly following one or two members who appear interesting. It was suggested that I try the Holy huddle, Thanks Goat..... I have been watching some threads but I don’t think it would actually suit me to post there. (Some stuff can get a bit heavy)
Any way I will try to start small, learn as I go and so on.
I look forward to some debate proper supposing I can be interesting enough.
\"Give me a good question over a good answer anyday.\"
