I love a good debate. There is something about it that boils a topic down to its basic framework and allows me a deeper understanding. It goes further than reading a fact sheet on either side of an issue. The act of representing one side of an argument is a fantastic learning tool that we don’t use enough. Maybe it is because we are being overly polite and politically correct.
I want to encourage learners to engage in debate. I want them to debate the opposite side of their belief for the sake of learning and understanding. I want them to gain the ability to engage others outside their realm of belief in a cordial way. A way that allows people who believe in different things to coexist and even like each other.
I had this thought watching a debate between Richard Dawkins and Wendy Wright on the subject of Evolution vs Creationism/Intelligent Design. It reminds me that there is nothing wrong with disagreement. Disagreement encourages us to look at the facts and interpolate truth. Dawkins and Wright are certainly on different pages on the topic yet remain quite nice to one another even in the most uncomfortable situations. We need to encourage this type of behavior in our students.
If you are interested in the debate I have posted the seven parts I found on YouTube below. It is worth the 65 minutes if you are into the topic. Full disclosure, I am an agnostic atheist.
