The basis of any relationship between two or more people is communication, during which they exchange facts, information and their own opinions. If the views and positions do not coincide, a dispute may arise. An important condition for its beginning is the desire of the participants to defend their point of view.
The essence of the concept
The dispute is a verbal contest, but the meaning of the word also has a broader concept, reflecting the opposition of the parties. Participants can be two or more people.
Verbal confrontation is actively used before the conclusion of transactions, during negotiations. Scientists or grandmothers in the yard can argue.
The ability to properly dispute is recognized as an art called ericism.
The tradition of conducting such fights came to us from ancient Greece. Subsequently, tough laws were created by which they can be carried out.
The original purpose was to achieve the truth. Over time, verbal competition has become a tool for achieving victory at all costs.
Today, the characteristic "inveterate debater" is rather a negative connotation. The extreme expressions of this phenomenon are bickering and demagogy. Demagogues use implicit methods of false reasoning, apply complex forms of presentation of the position, masking logical contradictions. The set of such a debater also includes ingratiation and populism.
Classification
Classification is carried out according to one of the characteristic features of the competition. There are several main types.
- Discussion - business conversations on the search for truth are often calm, honest methods are used to refute the arguments of the opposite side.
- Dispute - a public contest on the topic of a given thesis.This form is often used to defend scientific work or to discuss a specific problem by people who sometimes have the same position.
- Controversy - active verbal confrontation in order to defeat the enemy. Confrontation is often possible, but within the framework of generally accepted norms of behavior and morality.
- Debate or debate - public clashes of opinions, demonstrating the positions of different parties. Most often they happen as a reaction to a message, a speech at a conference, during an election campaign.
Disputes involving the use of incorrect techniques:
- eclecticism - is conducted to achieve the truth;
- sophistry - to achieve victory over the enemy at all costs.
The nature of the verbal contest is influenced by goals, the importance of the problem or information being discussed, the number of participants and the form of the duel. In recent years, a dispute has become popular for the sake of argument. Participants practice techniques without achieving a specific goal, but for their own pleasure.
Code of Ethics
The ethics of the dispute is based on the rules and principles of preparation:
- thinking over tactics of conducting verbal combat, choosing the main goal and choosing the main arguments;
- readiness for any scenario;
- the study of the level of training of your opponent, its positive and negative sides in the conduct of the dispute;
- focusing on the topic of discussion.
According to the rules of etiquette, it is necessary to listen to the opponent, allowing him to express his point of view to the end.
A few more rules can be distinguished:
- never allow yourself to fall to the level of the opponent with his aggressive and unreasonable attacks;
- when denying a thesis, it is necessary not only to say “no”, but also to give at least a couple of arguments;
- criticism is necessary only with a constructive approach;
- thoughts should be confronted by thoughts, not the analysis of personality flaws.
A culture of verbal combat is not an easy task. The constant development of yourself, an increase in your own knowledge base, new techniques, iron logic will help you achieve success in any dispute.
See the next video for more on the art of argument.
