Modern debate teaches arrogance and inflexibility, which is about as conducive to gaining knowledge and understanding as covering one’s eyes is to learning to read. Meaningful debate is when two opposing sides commit to coming to a solution together.
blind spots
Absolute truths in perspective
Truth is a humbling thing. We should all of us seek to know the truth – that search is at the heart of all learning and inquiry – but it requires that we first acknowledge that we may not know the truth and that we may never know it.
The value of different perspectives
The only way that we as individuals can broaden our perspectives, minimize our blind spots, and better understand the world around us is by seeking to understand perspectives that are different from our own, rather than trying to win an argument.