Keleseno
Department of Sociology, Modern College
Usually, when people enter into an Argument, they go into it with a mindset of Winning, driven by a desire to invalidate the arguments of the other person. This approach has no positive effect on anyone and instead creates more Misunderstanding and Animosity between people.
Today, if someone were to turn on the Television and watch a debate, they would most likely see people screaming at one another. Each one would be trying to impose their own views and opinions without even trying to listen to what the others have to say. Such behaviour is observed in the everyday life of ordinary people too; in arguments between Family, Friends and Colleagues. These types of argument have no Value, they do nothing to resolve an issue, they create no new information, and they make the people who participate in them look like irrational beings. It is because of such poor communication and dialogues between individuals and groups that people today seem more divided than they ever were, even though Communication has never been easier.
So, how should Arguments be handled???
Prof Jordan B Peterson, a Psychologist and author of ‘Canadian’, states that “Assume That The Person You Are Listening To, Might Know Something You Don’t”. It's clearly emphasised that we should assume that the people we are talking to know something we don’t and that whatever he or she knows could be of value to us. These arguments can be seen as opportunities to learn something new and not as a competition to see who is right and who is wrong.
No human being can know everything, but everyone may have knowledge and information which is new to others. It is only through proper discourse that such knowledge and information are passed around. And that is the possible outcome of any argument or conversation: that both sides leave with new Knowledge and even Wisdom.
Learning to argue helps develop critical thinking, strengthen communication skills, and foster deeper understanding in relationships. ARGUMENT also helps us to learn to clarify our thoughts and articulate them accurately.
