Can we learn more from people whose views we share than from those whose views contradict ours?
...two groups, one supported the idea and the other opposed it. During the debate, both side wanted to “win”, and wanted their view to be heard. At last, the debate became meaningless shouting match, and nobody learned anything from the contest. In spite of the foregoing drawback, nevertheless, I fundamentally disagree with the speaker’s claim. If both opponents can reach a common ground willing to absorb the merits from each other’s viewpoint, they can ultimately acquire some new ideas and further their comprehension about the argument. Firstly, contradicting views help us to see the flaws or some neglected aspect of our own point of view. For example, there is always a disagreement between defenders of environment and defenders of industrial economy in term of whether developing economy or protecting the environment. The defenders of environment inclined to oppose any encroachment to the natural estate while the industrialists tend to develop the economy without regard to the environment. Through the debate, both opponents can learn that it is not practical to only protect the nature or the economy. The defenders of environment will realize that pure nature, anyhow, is not good for humans to live in, while the defenders of economy will learn that a pure industrial society but with no clear air, clear streams, wild forests and so on is meaningless to residences too. Both opponents may find some defects and omissions in their viewpoint through the conflict. Secondly, the contradicting views may provide us with alternative perspectives to problem so that we can improve our understanding of the view. In terms of the disagreement between environmental defenders and defenders of the industrial economy, each of sides can learn how to co...