Do you like to debate on controversial topics? If yes, why? If no, why? What is your approach if the opinion you have is controversial?

[lsksni]

[TurboKid]

Not outside formal contexts and especially not on the internet. For a start, I lack expertise in most areas outside of my immediate field.

I found anything venturing towards a debate online when I was younger to frequently turn into a citation dump of cherry-picked citations which I could just as well study in my spare time. Yet it's also not something I desire even though I've encountered a number who seem to want it since I think it'd be far more productive for us to just share what we understand and assume without trying to prove each other incorrect.

I find debating useful in contexts where there are formal judges to determine a winner with a proper moderator making sure that civil rules are adhered to and both parties are addressing each other's points. Examples include a court of law or a debate in a workplace about the best course of action to take with a leader and judge to determine a winning course of action after listening to all sides. I don't find the "debate" mindset very productive outside such formal contexts and prefer a "sharing" mindset for the informal ones.

[MCheetah]

It depends. Like 95-99% of people on the other end are intolerant and can't respect a difference of opinion properly. I can respect most things I disagree with, unless it's about harming or hurting people (like "white genocide", supporting Cancel Culture, and crap like that). I can be intolerant to opinions or ideas that seek to hurt innocent people, so I guess I'm a little guilty of that, too.

Generally, I don't LIKE to debate people because most of the time, they are intolerant of different opinions. IF they are the rare person who I can disagree with but treat me with equal respect, than I am willing to debate them and hope one of us or both of us can learn something off the other person. I'm always willing to have my worldviews challenged or enlightened.

But generally, I don't like "debating" people. I don't need to "prove" why my ideas are the supposed "right" ones, but I am willing to test and see if they can stand up to scrutiny or criticism. They usually do. I don't care about the word "controversial" anymore. Everything is "controversial" nowadays, and it's usually common-sense stuff, like "chopping off your balls doesn't suddenly make you a woman" and "calling for white genocide or the subjugation and slavery of men doesn't make you a good or moral person." So I scoff at stuff people dislike that should be considered common sense normalcy.

I think I only have one or two beliefs that aren't that "logical" to some, and that's me, personally, being very much not into "bisexuals" (part-time gays, in my opinion) or polyamory. As of right now, I would never, ever be with a supposed "bisexual woman" (lesbian) or in an "open relationship." I've even asked a question on here before to see if anyone can legitimately change my view and I'm open to be proven wrong if I am. No one has, though.

[xLyndseeyx]

Debating on topics, hell NO!
I have a step-dad who is very conservative, this and that. Again, his views. I'll respect. Sometimes he'll make it public, and I just stare. Maybe he needs his voice heard.
In my personal opinion, I find it ugly to fight over different views. We're human. We're all going to look at things differently. Do we all see the same? Nah.
I WILL open my views if I'm with somebody who respects me just as much as they respect their own. My whole family is conservative. A lot of my friends are liberal. I'm very open-minded. Willing to hear, but if somebody is going to get ugly with me. I'll cut that friendship/relationship/whatever with you. I hate fighting in general.
Usually if the tension is very high, I'll gladly talk if somebody WILL remain calm and open with me.

[Sonorous]

Wait so do you hate debate? Or hostile arguments? Because they are different things

[SaoirseS]

Discuss, yes, but debate no. I realize others’ point of view may differ from mine, so the chances of a discussion making me change my mind are slim to none. I don’t try to change others’ minds either. As long as the discussion remains civil I’m fine with it. But once it turns into insults, fist pounding, etc then I’m done. Politics and religion are the two topics I’ll rarely get into because they never seem to end well. I once broke up with a boyfriend over a discussion about abortion that I wanted to avoid, but he kept badgering me about it. It wasn’t that we didn’t see eye to eye that killed it for me, it was his behavior. I don’t need that crap.

[Sonorous]

Not if I feel like there's nothing for me to gain. And especially not if I feel like hostility will come about.

[hellionthesagereborn]

Yes (well sort of), because I do not want to be in an echo chamber. In order to make sure that my thinking is rational and backed by evidence I need to have my views challenged, only then can I test their validity. If they survive the scrutiny and attacks then I know it is the truth. As for my opinions, they all seem to be controversial and my approach is simple, make sure that my statements are backed by data (every one is biased including me, so the best way to try and remove as much of that from the equation as possible is to have solid scientific data to support said opinion).

[pajamasam]

Yes, my dad always challenged me to think critically growing up. We would watch the news and then he would flip over to the other end of the spectrum and see what that news channel was reporting. And then he would ask my views.

He would often play the devils advocate and take the opposing view of mine on purpose wether he believed it or not.

My dad seemed to believed that being able to think critically and being able to defend your beliefs was critical in a society full of diverse views. And he is 100% right.

I like a good debate. I think on these kinds of sites it's easy to misunderstand what people mean though.

[The_Other]

Literally idea or topic can be controversial given the right conditions.
For instance, if you live in a majority hardcore religious society, not believing in their specific god would be considered controversial...
If you're surrounded by people who think 1 plus 1 plus 1 equals eleventy-one then you saying that the answer is 3 will drive them crazy and they will go to twitter to tweet about it and try to destroy your life.

Do I like engaging with these people? Yes, sometimes, I generally try to approach it calmly sometimes, and in cases where it seems important to reason with them, I might just walk away.

[menina]

It depends on the topic and on who I'm debating with. There are certain topics and certain kinds of people that I don't want to discuss controversial topics with. They're not worth my time and I'll end up being stressed, nervous, angry and sad because of them.

[lsksni]

Whar debated so you like to debate on?

[menina]

I enjoy talking about society's problems, books, music, tv shows...

[genericname85]

it depends. i don't like debating people that aren't gonna liste to my side of the argument and instead have their premade opinion that no matter what facts i present won't change. sadly most people are like that. they don't discuss to learn something new. they discuss to keep thinking what they were already thinking, no matter how wrong that was. people hate being wrong so much, that they don't even wanna correct themself. i hate it so much that i love when someone can point out that i'm wrong... not many think like that tho.

[JackofSpades]

I like to discuss topics with people I know and trust are trying to find the truth, or with people who I believe have a unique insight on a topic.

I absolutely hate debating. The entire process is meant to break down and publicly humiliate your opponent, for the sake of convincing an audience that you are right.

We should coming with questions and working together to seek the truth, rather believing we already know everything, we come with answers and quips and try to force others to think like us.

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[Pasiton5]

Yes i do cause i know what I'm talking about it i serious not engage in such discussion and there is not any i cannot hold my own in not bragging just being honest, only topics i try to avoid is politics, triggering, religion, time travel, just walk away with s headache and nothing resolved mainly cause those in such discussion don't know what they're talking about hell i do, so when I'm at a conference or gatherings of the ok elite or ok again intelligent scholars, they speak in theories i speak facts and can back out up, yeah i enjoy s good controversial discussion no matter the topic, that's real

[Anon621]

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I think sometimes I like to add to a conversation especially if I can provide a Latin perspective on it or maybe if I'm very passionate about something but I make sure my passion doesn't overwhelm my debating skills. Sometimes I stay out of stuff and usually it is about topics that don't directly affect me and I have some passion towards but most of the time I don't see a point in debating since if I really wanted to do something I would find a way to do what I was planning and these are normally topics such as women's issues including abortion and child creation methods because I'm not a woman so I don't make those decisions.

[420Rachel]

Nope. I usually just agree to disagree if me and someone else don't see eye to eye on a subject. 🤷 Everyone has different ideas of what's right and what's wrong and honestly as long as it's not taken to some radical extreme I don't care what people believe.

[The_Maphio]

It's a good thing to do.
Debating on topics of general nature forces you to use your brain to discuss the topic, own up to your mistakes or convince others that they are mistaken.
People who block others because their opinions are not followed blindly or those who censor one of the two sides because they can't stand the fact that not everybody follows the hive mind are despicable semi-humans, who should have never been born. Quite a lot of those around, alas.

[NathanDavis]

Controvesial topics? no, they're cheap most of the times and full of extreme takes that get you nowhere really.

Difficult topics, those yes, but that's different than controversial, and when it comes to a difficult topic I prefer a discussion, because again... most people's idea of debate around here is just dumb, to say it nicely.

[CaptainOverthink]

I don't mind it. I might even like it, yes. That is if we can be civil about it. Emotions are okay but don't lose yourself.

If we have opposing views then it's harder but not super uncomfortable.
If we are aligned then I play devil's advocate becaise it's more interesting and the otherside isn't there to defend themselves and I despise shit-talking.

[andreasderjuengere]

I don't seek confrontation. But I don't avoid it, either. I involve myself only, when the topic finds my interest.
Where I sometimes find it regretful when only two options are discussed, where more are at hand.
Why: when I take the trouble to build my own opinion, it would have been a waste of time to do so - when after that I keep quiet about it.

[AdithyaR]

Firstly I analyse my opinion. Some controversial opinions are not good such as being against a certain group, ethnicity or gender for no reason.

Second I generally keep my opinion to myself unless asked, I won't try to force it on other and only speak enough to defend myself if someone attacks my opinion.

[MeghanL]

I welcome civil discourse & polite discussion, with everyone recognizing each other's right to their opinions.

Unfortunately that is no longer the case. People have become very polarized in recent years & the prevailing attitude now seems to be "I'm right & you're f*cked up," & if people disagree they don't debate the merits of the issue, they immediately go into personal insults & attacks.

[rievious]

No. Some of them can be fun but after a while I get real tired of talking, hearing their voice and hearing my voice, and/or continue to find ways to show I'm right or they're wrong.

When it comes down to who's opinion is better it never has a clear yes or no. There is always a scenario where one is better. I'll hear them both and I'll choose which is best for what scenario I'm in but I always despise hearing them let alone participate.

[Alyssa11]

No because I don’t enjoy arguing. Especially with close minded people.

[lsksni]

If it's just discussing?

[Alyssa11]

People always get offended

[Anonymous]

I debate if the other person isn’t a stubborn narrow minded person who can be mature with these controversial topics, if we reach consensus, great. If not, agree to disagree. And I only debate on things that I’m genuinely passionate and concerned about.