Thread:Double Slap/@comment-3017217-20150625141131/@comment-4091261-20170420155805

Thanks. *~*

I have personally learned a lot about formal debate and it's etiquette when I took a course on argumentation, though even further back when I learned Aristotle's Rhetoric: logos, ethos, and pathos.

I am certain that I have gone over this rhetoric before, but I don't think I ever mentioned the lesson I learned from argumentation. The lesson was simple and even a common phrase: know your audience.

Nobody likes yelling at each other because it is physically painful. As such the only reason why debates exist at all is to explore perspectives. That being said, a premise for having a civilized debate is having strong understanding of who you is listening to your debate. Emphasis on this because it means that the people participating are not the only ones to truly understand. Everyone who can be observing should be considered.

While this may be a simple premise, it is one that can be explored vastly. In fact, the very reason a debate is made at all is the lack of understanding of certain perspectives.

One of the big things I like about argumentation is that it is the best way to transition from formality to casual discussion. Becoming better at debating increases social skills in places where you think it matters. It focuses on certain points people feel passionate about and gives much insight on how people view things and the logic behind why they think this way.