Someone once said, it's a mark of an educated mind entertain a thought even if he/she would not accept it

i hate you

I agree but it is human nature to respond when someone writes abusive comments direct at you.

You are a very wise young man.

I agree. While I often attack ideas, the person behind the ideas does (I assume) believe what they are touting.

Not always--if someone has a very unkind opinion of you, your racial group, your gender or profession, that is an attack.

Yes, the passion of debate can certainly bring out anger in people. My pet peeve is when people get into petty name calling (the most recent was when someone called someone a "dumbass" ). I think it's just rude and immature. I love using this platform to share opinions, facts, etc.

I actually blocked someone last week, which I have NEVER done before, because he got extremely angry and hostile and went to personal attacks because I expressed a point of view about the differences between men and women that disagreed with his.

I disagree!

Heartily agree!

That's just, like, your opinion, man.

"The Duderino's" quotes aside, I've been thinking about this lately. What if "meaningful discussion" isn't the goal? What if polite disagreement isn't the goal? What if you've decided you are right, and therefore can lie, cheat, and steal in service of your righteousness because the ends justify the means? And what if those on the other side (who are obviously wrong) deserve whatever sneaky, underhanded knife you slip in their back because, you know, they aren't you and thus aren't right? What if intellectual honesty is not valued? What if honor is for suckers, humility is for losers, lies are true, and morality is just a bat you use to smash over your neighbor's head because it feels so good?

On the other hand, disagreeable disagreement may be healthy in small doses. Maybe we just need to vent at each other once in a while, with no meaningful discussion. Then as we get old and the young people get sick of our arguing, they will have meaningful discussions as we slowly die off.

Agreed.

I think that it can be vigorously, but with respect for the other person...throwing ‘dirt’ is not my idea of respect!

Ideally i think you're right. In reality it depends on the person(s) you are speaking to IMHO.

If you're using insults, it means you're running out of arguments and you should have a second look at your ideas.

I think it depends on perspective..
I have got into arguements with people who it seemed like they were attacking (either me , or a gender or a group) .. looking back, i think they actually believed whole heartedly that what they were spouting was just an "opinion " even though not once , on anything they said was phrased as an opinion.

Big thing, as you mentioned.. be polite about .
If they can't (or i can't).. then i am tempted to just block or ignore that person.. especially if it looks like no common middle ground is possible.

So long as your opinion does mean the destruction or dehumanization of other human beings rights, it's fine with me.

I'll have a discussion but not an argument.
I try to go by this, sometimes I lose it and that's on me. I think I'm getting a little better at controlling it, I hope anyway

Absolutely

Sounds like good advice.

I learned fairly quickly that some people on here don't abide by this simple etiquette. Shame.

and have a fucking sense of humor. Just saying.

A discussion isn't really a discussion if we agree on everything. It's why we have discussions.

depends on the differences are one can say my oppion you are stupid and the saying no you are. The only truth is if still beleive in things that are not backed from facts then that makes you stupid. If you vote for people out to screw you and others that is stupid. those stupid people will be offended for telling them the truth.

Dialogue is what allows people to not only modify but expand their thinking. Critical analysis will allow someone to see how the other arrives at their rationale. Respect of others is required for this.