Promoting discussion: Dialogue versus debate


You are probably familiar with debates where two opponents intellectually fight it out over a controversial issue. These can be exciting, but not always informative. Dialogues may not be as familiar. At the Forum we host both types of events.

DIALOGUEDEBATE
Collaborative Oppositional
Common ground Winning
Enlarges perspective Affirms perspective
Searches for agreement Searches for differences
Causes introspection Causes critique
Looks for strengths Looks for weaknesses
Re-evaluates assumptions Defends assumptions
Listens for meaning Listening for countering
Remains open-ended Implies a conclusion

Source: Adapted from the Co-Intelligence Institute and appearing in Jones CM, Mittlemark MB. The IUPHE BLueprint for Directed and Sustained Dialogue for Partnership Initiatives. Used with permission.