Over the past five years, I have almost ritualistically watched debates online covering various topics, but they typically are associated with politics or religion. I use the debates as both a learning exercise. In a well thought out debate, it is often the case that one or both combatants will be synthesizing a considerable amount of subject matter into a dense ten-minute speech. If they are a credible debater, the conciseness of their points can serve as a decent survey of the literature and provide you with an extensive reference list for further examination. If I am just starting to read on any topic, I often head towards the debates, if there are any. Then I transition to lectures, and finally, after compiling a list of books, I move onto reading or, as is often the case listening to audiobooks.
Recently I was watching a debate on reasons for belief in God. I typically have no understanding of either side of the debate whenever I begin this process described above. However, I do periodically listen to debates on topics that I have read about. I’ve unironically listened to hundreds of these kinds of debates both prior to and after my conversion to belief in God. Likewise, my library is full of theology and philosophy of religion books. I typically find most religious debates to be underwhelming, but they serve as useful tools for understanding ways of being in a contentious dialog. Few conversations are more controversial than discussions about God.
The Twitter Neurosurgeon
Throughout the debate, I was drawn to one particular phenomenon. The interlocutor that was engaged in defense of the opposing position continuously overstepped his understanding. He continually made claims that he had no formal training in discerning. This became evident in the cross-examination where, after being pressed by his opponent, a Ph.D. In analytic philosophy, he showed his ignorance on various points he attempted to make throughout the debate.
The biggest problem I saw was primarily due to a lack of humility. The man holding the negative position made statements as if he knew, I mean really knew. Not that he thought what he was saying was right, but that he really knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he knew what he was saying was true.
After receiving his YouTube education, this man knew the answers to life, death, and the existence of God.
The way he delivered each word only served to increase my skepticism of him.
For a more direct and horrifying example, It seemed like the equivalent of logging onto Twitter to read comments about brain surgery from other unqualified strangers on the internet. After spending 10 hours on Twitter, I then decided to head to the operating room to perform a complicated procedure to repair the damage from an intracranial hematoma.
Absolutely absurd, to say the least.
The phenomenon that I noticed is nothing new, and in fact, if you have spent any time with living and breathing humans, you would have encountered it innumerable times. I only was drawn to pointing it out as it has never been so stark as it was in this debate. This led me to think about the importance of humility, especially as we are on the cusp of the holidays, a time where most will be required to speak with those who we often find most frustrating, our families.
Our family members often serve as poor conversation partners. Likewise, we are also likely given over to bulldozing, snubbing, and being generally arrogant towards those with whom we have become over-familiar. Many uneducated parents have hurt their child through thoughtless words, likewise is the case with inexperienced children towards their parents.
It is essential that we conduct ourselves with great humility this holiday season. Times have been hard enough. So long as we can maintain an air of humility, we might partake in open and honest dialog, one of the greatest pleasures that can be experienced.
Whether you find yourself in conversations about the election, religion, or sports teams, the notion that you might not have all the answers should be an ever-present idea running through your head throughout any conversation.
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“Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do.” Bertrand Russell
Excellent blog! Father created us with brains to use, not avoid. 😉
I find this a very personally convicting and timely post. But then, what do I really know? 😉. Certainly not as much as I think I do, and it’s great to be reminded about that My constant prayer these days is that the Lord would give me His eyes to see through, not mine He does…. more and more. But not all the time
That’s an interesting way to start researching a topic: to begin with the debate. I might try that going forward.
It can be helpful but it is easy to fall into watching debates that are either lopsided in terms of the individuals debating or debates where they simply debating there wrong questions. However, if you end up doing more research on the topic those pitfalls are minor.