(July 3, 2013 at 9:02 am)Texas Sailor Wrote: I've been gone for a while, and just wanted to come back and say..HI! I guess after reading the same arguments and the same fallacies. These debates have left me a bit unsatisfied. A debate should only be engaged if both sides are dedicated to following the rules of logic, and if after ones arguments have been shown to be fallacious, it should not occur again. This is not the case though. It seems that while some claim to be champions of logic, they are actually more concerned with being repeat offenders of trampling on it. My patience is dwindling, and the reward of constructive discourse seems more and more unlikely as chances of such a thing falsely present themselves. This is not an attack on Theists. Atheists of course, are also guilty of it. However, given the nature of the usual debates around here, Theists just seem to be more vulnerable to it on the whole. Just curious if anyone else has thought this and what epiphanies it has inspired in you. It’s left me odiously cynical.For me, there are two important factors at play:
1. to have the public debates for the sake of the audience. It's true to say that neither side in a debate is likely to change their position during the debate but the main impact of each point and rebuttal is felt by the audience. So I don't mind repeating myself because each time I make my points, more people get to see them and subsequently reflect on their worth (the points, not the people!). That reflection is what is most likely to cause change.
2. for the sake of intellectual exercise. By debating, I'm able to hold my thoughts/opinions/analyses/conclusions up to public scrutiny and let people have at them. The chance to do the same to someone else's arguments is always fun! Repeat discussions also give all parties the opportunity to come up with something new.
Sum ergo sum
