Debate vs. Dialogue
The Power of Listening
Dialogue is distinct from Debate:
Debate is valued in many societies as a key tool for informed decision making, where different sides try to prove eachother wrong.
Dialogue has a vital, if quieter, role to play, where different sides come together towards a common understanding.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/4340988/Sign_post.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
Debate is valued in many societies as a key tool for informed decision making, where different sides try to prove eachother wrong.
Dialogue has a vital, if quieter, role to play, where different sides come together towards a common understanding.
Dialogue is distinct from Debate:
Debate is valued in many societies as a key tool for informed decision making, where different sides try to prove eachother wrong.
Dialogue has a vital, if quieter, role to play, where different sides come together towards a common understanding.
Unbalanced by lacking dialogue,
the constructive impact of debate has diminished.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
Our societies increasingly polarize as
we gravitate towards people who share our own views.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
Our societies increasingly polarize as
we gravitate towards people who share our own views.
Differences between Debate and Dialogue include:
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
DEBATE:
The atmosphere is threatening; attacks are expected.
DIALOGUE:
The atmosphere is one of safety, active listening and respectful exchange.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
DEBATE:
Participants listen in order to expose faulty logic.
DIALOGUE:
Participants listen to understand and gain insight.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
DEBATE:
Participants affirm their own point of view.
DIALOGUE:
Participants enlarge their own point of view.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/4344679/BALANZA.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7057300/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
Debate has it's place: it can help societies' direction
when tempered by the Power of Dialogue to help
build bridges across divisions.
Debate has it's place: it can help societies' direction
when tempered by the Power of Dialogue to help
build bridges across divisions.
“Insights, new relationship, and commitment to action:
these are the fruits of dialogue."
Rob Corcoran
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/4327645/02.png)
Rob Corcoran
“Insights, new relationship, and commitment to action:
these are the fruits of dialogue."
“Insights, new relationship, and commitment to action:
these are the fruits of dialogue."
Rob Corcoran
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7224473/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
Developing Life Skills through the Power of Dialogue.