Discussions

dr_d

<div class="IPBDescription">Objective vs. Subjective</div> Should discussions, specifically ones held on this forum, be particpated in from a purely objective stance? Meaning should a person put aside all politcal, moral, and relegious beliefs and discuss an issue in a completely objective manner?

This would make discussion about touchy issues like God and abortion much less likely to derail and would eliminate many causes for flames. If we were to stick to a simple point, support, counter-point, support method of discussion would it make the discussions better, worse, or would it not change anything?

Discuss.

Wheeee

I think it'd be impossible, but I try to be objective when I can. It is, I think, for the most part fine to be passionate about a subject, as long as you present relatively rational arguments.

*edit* slight spelling

p4Samwise

If you put aside all your beliefs, you don't really have anything to discuss.

You should, however, state your beliefs in a manner that is self-consistent and logical (given a few starting premises), and leave out premises that have no place in the scope of the discussion.

CommunistWithAGun

No, I like knowing how other people feel. Although whose to say my opinions aren't just displays of the devils advocate. I think its good people can bring how they feel into discussions like that because it makes them part of it, with usually more knowledge for us all to learn because of experiences etc. I think its fine as we all behave when doing it.

Jammer

/me notices names of people browsing... CommunistWAG, Samwise, Alius... expecting 3 replies in 5 seconds... :-)

It is impossible to be truly objective in anything. Passion ignites man to discuss. Removing it removes the thrill of thinking.

I think.

EDIT
Yup, I called it. :-)
Whee was the only reply when I started this.

CommunistWithAGun

Exactly.

Jammer

Take a picture, quick! Communist agrees with me!

My special rank should be 'Crazy Right-Winger'. His should be 'Crazy Left-Winger' :-)

Sirus

Not to mention, if I say God, or Christian, or use them in relation to myself people are going to think I'm a raving Bible thumper whose on some holy crusade, and no matter what I say it's "subjective", even though I am in the case, being completely objective.

Regardless of the relativity of most situations, I think we can draw a pretty clear line between subjective and objective.

CommunistWithAGun

<!--QuoteBegin--Sirus+Aug 30 2003, 12:29 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sirus @ Aug 30 2003, 12:29 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Not to mention, if I say God, or Christian, or use them in relation to myself people are going to think I'm a raving Bible thumper whose on some holy crusade, and no matter what I say it's "subjective", even though I am in the case, being completely objective.

Regardless of the relativity of most situations, I think we can draw a pretty clear line between subjective and objective. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I never had a problem with people who are religious. Im glad that they believe in something. Beliefs are very important. The thing that troubles me is the religious people who..judge me. Kinda Ironic isn't it? Anyway I still feel whatever you bring to the discussion is important. That goes for all of you.... <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

Wheeee

Strange that many of the same people who dislike "religious" people judging them are just as judgemental when they disagree strongly with someone's beliefs.

kida

I believe that trying to be open minded and listening to both sides with equality is key to a great discussion.

Stakhanov

<!--QuoteBegin--Wheeee+Aug 30 2003, 09:15 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Wheeee @ Aug 30 2003, 09:15 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Strange that many of the same people who dislike "religious" people judging them are just as judgemental when they disagree strongly with someone's beliefs. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
How true... judging people is so temptating.

GreyPaws

I thought religious people were supposed to leave the Judging to God. Bah what do I know.

Objective discussion means you are willing to change your viewpoint if a reasonable amount of information supported by facts is presented on the topic. Anything else is fundamentalist banter. (IMO) just to make you people feel better <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

Sirus

Not necessarily change your viewpoint, but in the discussion, use only evidence and incidents as examples. Instead of using emotionalistic reasoning.

AllUrHiveRblong2us

Why can't we use reasoning now? If I can build up an argument with very little actual facts, but a lot of deduction and reasonably drawm conclusions, then why is it automatically discounted?

Bosnian_Cowboy

I sometimes wonder what other people percieve me as. It is hard to get a good grasp of someone based on a few posts. I bet a lot of people here think I'm some right-wing devout Christian, yet they only see what I write and not how I act.

Bogglesteinsky

keep opinions. its what makes the threads worth reading. (that, and the flames that follow)

science cant prove everything, facts arent the be all and end all of an argument. if someone has a strong beleif, no amount of fact stating is going to shake it. let the opinions stay and the good times roll.