Greetings

[pumilio2]

Hello

Comments

[vnsplshr]

I'm opinionated, but not interested in defending my views on controversial things...

But if someone makes a statement that conflicts with your views, would you just ignore it?

[pumilio2]

It would depend on whether the person making the statement is honestly looking for debate on the issue, or if they are in it merely to ruffle feathers.

I'm not inflexible to learning and changing, unless the basis for the the statement is to be hurtful, or toot one's own horn. I suppose it would be easier for me to say: if you stand behind what you are saying and have good reasons for doing so, then I can agree that your opinion is valid, and respect it and you for having integrity. Then I would beg that the respect would run both ways.

[vnsplshr]

I find that some people will blurt an opinion as if it were fact, consciously or unconsciously expecting blanket acceptance. These often come up in the midst of a search for a civil discussion.

[atrayitic]

Can you debate a fact?

[atrayitic]

I've found that it's virtually impossible to have opinions on things without involving emotions. People are their emotions. Coversations and the world in general would be very bland without them.

[vnsplshr]

It's fine if emotions are involved, but not if they're the primary support for the opinion/argument.

[atrayitic]

Of course not.
I still think that you can't have a debate or discussion withough involving emotions.

[pumilio2]

I agree. An element of emotion will always be present, but when those are the underlying evidence supporting the statements you are attempting to pass off onto others, then that defeats the purpose of having the conversation. In the overly-emotive state you lose sight of the ability to accept differing opinions and then, in most cases, become beligerant and sometimes hurtful.

It's the beligerant and hurtful that I find reprehensible and at that point I will simply end a conversation.