 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
dialogue rather than the typical classroom discussion.
We want to avoid DISCUSSION. Why?
According to Matt Copeland's book Socratic Circles, a discussion is something
we "hold" or "schedule." It is a meeting of a group of people where a subject is
considered in hopes that some "conclusion" can be reached. In discussion, we
move from many ideas at the beginning to markedly fewer ideas at the end.
We know the discussion is over when we have reached a conclusion.
We want to engage in DIALOGUE. Why?
We "open" a dialogue rather than "scheduling" one. We seek to illuminate an
issue or an idea that incorporates many opinions and points of view in hopes
of "expanding" or "broadening" our knowledge and understanding. We
increase the number of ideas as our conversation moves forward. We may
never feel that we have reached a conclusion; in fact, there may not be a
conclusion (Remember "The Demon Love"?)
Many students like to debate their opinion in class rather than have dialogue.
We want to avoid debate.
What is the difference between dialogue and debate?
Dialogue is collaborative: multiple sides work toward shared understanding.
Debate is oppositional: two opposing sides try to prove each other wrong.
In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to find common
ground.
In debate, one listens to find flaws, to spot differences, and to counter
arguments.
Dialogue enlarges and possibly changes a participant's point of view.
Debate defends assumptions as truth.
Dialogue creates an open-minded attitude: an openness to being wrong and
an openness to change.
Debate creates a close-minded attitude, a determination to be right.
In dialogue, one submits one's best thinking, expecting that other people's
reflections will help improve it rather than threaten it.
In debate, one submits one's best thinking and defends it against challenge to
show that it is right.
Dialogue calls for temporarily suspending one's beliefs.
Debate calls for investing wholeheartedly in one's beliefs.
In dialogue, one searches for strengths in all positions.
In debate, one searches for weaknesses in the other position.
Dialogue respects all the other participants and seeks not to alienate or
offend.
Debate rebuts contrary positions and may belittle or deprecate other
participants.
Dialogue assumes that many people have pieces of answers and that
cooperation can lead to a greater understanding.
Debate assumes a single right answer that somebody already has.
Dialogue remains open-ended.
Debate demands a conclusion.
Dialogue is characterized by:
suspending judgment and beliefs
examining our own work without defensiveness
exposing our reasoning and looking for limits to it
communicating our underlying assumptions
exploring viewpoints more broadly and deeply
being open to disconfirming data
approaching someone who sees a problem differently not as an adversary, but
as a colleague in common pursuit of better solution.
being open to change
re-evaluation of one's assumption
everyone being part of the solution to the problem
people learning from each other
