It is not known why, but people tend not only to make mistakes, but also to argue. The regulars of numerous forums and social networks are by and large occupied mainly with verbal battles: each defends his opinion, sometimes with foam at the mouth. Precious time and no less precious nerves are spent in battles, but the participants are not discouraged: after all, everyone knows that truth is born in a dispute, for which it is not shameful to suffer. Nevertheless, there are certain subtleties that turn outright abuse into controversy. Let's talk about the positive and negative sides of such a thing as a dispute, and determine its role in society.
Tale is a lie
This phrase is very commonplace - every person, probably, at least once in his life repeated it, putting a direct, ironic or even sarcastic meaning, because not every discussion can boast such a wonderful result. Most often, neither its subject nor the composition of the participants suggests such success: in disputes, truth is born only when the conversation is substantive, and the interlocutors are not only “in the subject”, but also well-educated enough to listen to each other's opinions .
Perhaps the most impressive number of truths born have disputes in the field of science. Each proposed theory or study is a kind of argument, during the exchange of which new knowledge appears. Most likely, this is what the ancients had in mind when they said that truth is born in a dispute.
Socrates, to whom the aphorism is attributed, hardly believed so in reality. The famous philosopher rightly believed that the dispute, in fact, is nothing more than an attempt to impose one’s opinion on an opponent, to force him to admit his own right. But human knowledge is far from perfect. What truth can be born in a dispute between two representatives of the ancient world, one of which believes that the earth rests on three whales, and the other that on four turtles?
It is known that Socrates opposed the dispute - dialogue, and pinned on him the corresponding hopes, recommending that he talk with a person and not get involved with the crowd.
What can I bet
If you think about it, then the subject of discussion is of great importance. The more complex and specific it is, the greater the truth in the statement that truth is born in a dispute: it will not occur to the uninitiated to discuss nuclear physics or molecular biology. To conduct conversations on such topics, you need to have the appropriate knowledge. And in order to master them, you must have a considerable mind, which, in fact, plays a decisive role in the process of the birth of something worthwhile.
Unfortunately, most disputes in which one has to participate or observe from the side are hardly particularly meaningful.
And what is better to keep silent
Albert Einstein believed that politics is a much more complex subject than the theory of relativity. In this light, it is completely incomprehensible why there are so few people who want to discuss a simple theory, and 99% of the country's adult population who are large specialists in international relations.
That's where the phrase “truth is born in debate” sounds like a real mockery. It is impossible to imagine a more barren and meaningless pastime. Is there anything weirder in the world than the fact that thousands of adults spend their lives convincing thousands of others that they are right, knowing in advance that this is completely impossible?
In addition to mutual insults and insults, nothing is born in such disputes, and cannot be born: after all, people involved in it are not only incompetent, but also absolutely not affecting the situation.
In order to positively answer the question of whether truth is born in a dispute, three things are important:
subject of dispute;
list of participants;
their competence.
Born in a dispute
However, a civilized dispute may have another result, which is sometimes even better than the truth, and its name is a compromise. There are areas of life in which the notorious truth does not exist at all, and if it exists, then "nobody knows it." Everything related to love, marriage, parenting periodically makes people cross invisible blades - and in vain.
There are things in which individual characteristics and preferences are a decisive factor. Here it is not necessary to seek the truth, but the opportunity to come to an agreement - this ability distinguishes thinking creatures from stubborn rams. It is a pity that not everyone understands this.
Olympic principle
To say that truth is born in disputes is hardly always fair, but at the same time sometimes participating in such an event is “not only harmful, but also useful,” as satirists say.
Even if the exchange of arguments itself does not lead to a positive result, the need to argue your opinion will help to put thoughts in order, to find flaws in their own logical constructions. In the end, even the conclusion that the debate on this topic is pointless may also be useful in the process of obtaining valuable life experience. As they say, lessons can be drawn from everything - the main thing is not to go in cycles in the material already passed.
Thus, saying: “Truth is born in a dispute,” the author got excited. This result, too, cannot be ruled out, but with a fair amount of reservations.
Ethics Above All
As in any other discussion of the abysses of human communication, we again have to state common truths about the importance of mutual respect, the unacceptability of the transition to insults, the need to find the strength to appreciate and accept the opinion of another person, even if you do not share it.
Humanity invented the rules of conduct for good reason. There are areas in which the “truth is born in disputes” rule does not and never will. Therefore, in a decent society, it is not customary to discuss politics, religion and football.
If you adhere to elementary rules, any conversation, even the hottest, will not make you bitterly regret it after, when the passions subside and the opponents begin to recount the losses. No wonder they say that at the very moment when the interlocutors feel anger towards each other, the argument should end, and not vice versa.