What does it mean to argue responsibly?

 Emilee Solak

SUPA WRT 105

Schilly 2 AC

March 2021

Guide to Arguing Responsibly

 In Gary Lane Hatch’s piece, Arguing in Communities, he goes over and highlights what it means to argue responsibly. The idea of arguing responsibly obviously isn’t a topic that we often hear. When I think of an argument, primarily in an educational setting, I think of an opinion, rebuttal, and closing argument. Hatch takes this even further, stating in his opening paragraphs that part of living in a community, or with a group of people, is arguing. On page 195, he says that the miracle of language is that we are even able to communicate at all.

A key part of arguing responsibility is “living with it” or agreeing to disagree. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and you won't always change someone else's beliefs. Hatch says, “A lot of the conflict that results in violence, terrorism, and manipulation could often be avoided if people learned how to negotiate their differences.” (196 p4). Agreeing to disagree is a simple way to resolve an argument without it escalating. “When people agree to disagree, arguing can clarify where the disagreement lies and solidify the agreement to live with the difference”, Gary says. (197 p1). 

Another important, maybe even most important, part of an argument is focusing on the ideas at hand, not on the individual. Arguing in the way he described throughout the piece, as silly as it sounds, assumes that you will uphold a certain level of respect for others and their opinions. Gary says that truth is created and sustained in and by the community, and depends on compromise. It relies on the idea that people will agree and disagree, but still remain faithful members of the community. I think that this piece is definitely beneficial in getting across the ideas of arguing responsibly and teaching others the best ways to go about their differences.