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To Argue Or Not To Argue

 Argumentation and disagreement are prominent factors of society. Everybody argues and disagrees with another person at some point in their lives. However, there are some people who do not know how to argue healthily or responsibly, and this can often result in negative outcomes that resort to means of brute force or violence. As stated in Arguing in Communities by an Associate Professor of English, Gary Layne Hatch, "A lot of conflict that results in violence, terrorism, and manipulation could often be avoided if people learned how to negotiate their differences". 



One prominent part of arguing healthily and responsibly is agreeing to disagree and utilizing the ability to negotiate with someone, as well as try and work to persuade someone. When we acknowledge the other party's argument, it can strengthen our own and maybe open our eyes to a point we may have otherwise not seen or recognized before. Once again in Arguing in Communities, Hatch states: "When people agree to disagree, arguing can clarify where the disagreement lies and solidify the agreement to live with difference."

Another prominent part of arguing healthily and responsibly lies in hearing the other person's side of their argument. Although I briefly touched on this above, I wish to go more in depth about being open-minded here. Being open to new ideas other than our own allows us to potentially see points or opinions we otherwise may not have seen or agreed with. As Hatch states, "They [scholars] try to value a diversity of opinion. They try not to ignore or reject others' views just because they are challenging or different." How are we to ever learn and expand our own ideas and opinions if we are unable to be open-minded to the ideas and opinions of others?

When we expand our sphere of open-mindedness and allow the opinions and ideas of others to come to us, as well as agree to disagree and attempt to get out point across by means of persuasion and negotiation rather than manipulation and violence, it is then that we as people are able to conduct healthy arguments.

Comments

  1. Alyssa FrysingerApril 5, 2021 at 6:14 AM

    This was a very interesting read! We happened to include a lot of the same ideas, however, I like how you incorporated the quotes from the article into your thoughts. Excellent job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 5, 2021 at 6:16 AM

    This is a really well written piece. I liked how you wrote about the importance of being open minded.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 5, 2021 at 6:24 AM

    You made some great points and I agree with them!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousApril 5, 2021 at 6:31 AM

    Very well written piece! Many people do not know how to argue respionsibly, and I am guilty of this sometimes, but pointing out healthy ways to argue was helpful. I agree that we all need to agree to disagree more often, as this will advance us further in society. We have to recognize our differences and be open-minded to ideas and opinions of others. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousApril 5, 2021 at 10:10 AM

    I find the quotes that you used to be very fitting and help support the points that you made throughout your post. This was very well written and I enjoyed reading it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jayden JohnsonApril 21, 2021 at 5:43 AM

    I also really like the quotes that you use and I thought that the way you incorporated them into the article was really good.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jayden JohnsonApril 21, 2021 at 5:43 AM

    I also really like the quotes that you use and I thought that the way you incorporated them into the article was really good.

    ReplyDelete

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