Dialogue

Debate and/or Discussion

Dialogue is collaborative; cooperative; multiple sides work toward a shared understanding

Debate is competitive and/or oppositional; two (or more) opposing sides try to prove each other wrong; sometimes Discussion can move in this direction as well

In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to find common ground

In debate, (and sometimes discussion) 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; in discussions, participants may tend to "dig in"

Dialogue creates an open-mined attitude; an openness to being wrong and an openness to change

Debate creates an close-minded attitude, a determination to be right;

Discussion often tends to lead toward one "right" answer

In dialogue, one submits one's best thinking, expecting that other people's reflections will help improve it rather than threaten it

In debate, and often discussion, one submits one's best thinking and defends it against challenge to show that it is right

Dialogue calls for temporarily suspending of one's beliefs

Debate, and sometimes discussion, calls for investing wholeheartedly in one's beliefs

In dialogue, one searches for strengths in all positions

In debate, and sometimes discussion, one searches for weaknesses in the other positions

Dialogue respects all the other participants and seeks not to alienate or offend

Debate rebuts contrary positions and may belittle or deprecate other participants; a discussion gone awry may end up this way as well

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 mutual inquiry; collective knowledge

Discussion is individual opinions; individual knowledge

Dialogue practices a product

Debate and discussion produce products

Dialogue is divergent

Debate, and often discussion, is convergent