Train for any argument with Harvard’s former debate coach | Bo Seo

Summary

Bo Seo, a two-time world debate champion, discusses the crisis in public conversations and the importance of good argument skills. He introduces the 'RISA Framework' to guide productive disagreements and emphasizes the need for active listening and empathy in debates. Seo suggests exercises like 'side-switch' to foster humility and understanding, advocating for more humane and compassionate discussions in personal and political contexts.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Public conversations are in crisis, with people shouting from a distance rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue.
• 📉 The skills of good argumentation have been deteriorating, leading to a decline in the quality of discussions and a loss of confidence in their value.
• 🌟 Bo Seo, a two-time world debate champion and author of 'Good Arguments,' emphasizes the importance of restoring faith in disagreements as a source of good.
• 🌐 Bo Seo's personal journey of moving countries and learning to navigate disagreements through debate highlights the universal challenges of communication across cultures.
• 🤝 The 'RISA Framework' is introduced as a method to select and engage in disagreements more wisely, focusing on the reality, importance, specificity, and alignment of objectives in a dispute.
• 🚫 The RISA Framework helps to avoid unproductive arguments by ensuring that both parties are genuinely interested in resolving the disagreement, rather than merely seeking conflict.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The framework is particularly useful in family gatherings where personal or political disagreements may arise, providing a structured approach to handle them.
• 🔍 Debaters learn to listen actively, understanding and responding to the strongest version of the opposition's argument to foster better conversations.
• 🧐 The importance of challenging oneself by considering the opposing side's best arguments and identifying potential flaws in one's own case is highlighted as a key to humility and empathy.
• 🌱 Side-switch exercises and empathy are not only beneficial in personal disagreements but are also crucial in political and ideological disputes, promoting humane and compassionate dialogue.
• 🌱 The script concludes by emphasizing that individuals are more than their affiliations and beliefs, and that adopting debate techniques can enhance our ability to discuss contentious issues effectively.

Q & A

What is the current state of public conversations according to Bo Seo?

Bo Seo describes the state of public conversations as being in a crisis, with people fully convinced of their views and shouting at each other from a distance, indicating a lack of productive dialogue.

Why does Bo Seo believe that the skills of good argument have been atrophying?

Bo Seo suggests that people no longer view argument as something to be worked at but rather something they jump into out of instinct or defensiveness, leading to a decline in the quality of conversations.

What is the 'RISA Framework' and how does it help in disagreements?

The 'RISA Framework' is a method Bo Seo developed to pick disputes more wisely. It involves asking four questions before engaging in a disagreement: whether the disagreement is real, important, specific, and if the objectives of the conversation are aligned.

How does Bo Seo's personal experience with moving countries and languages relate to his views on disagreements?

Bo Seo's experience moving from South Korea to Australia at a young age and struggling with language and cultural barriers led him to value the structure of debate, where one person speaks at a time without interruption, as a form of salvation from disruptive conversations.

What is the difference between intelligence and wisdom in the context of arguments according to Bo Seo?

Bo Seo posits that intelligence is the ability to respond to any argument, while wisdom lies in knowing which arguments to respond to and which parts of an argument to engage with.

Why does Bo Seo suggest that arguments are easy to start but hard to end?

Arguments are easy to start but hard to end because there are numerous differences between two people that can flood into the conversation, making it unruly and unproductive unless carefully managed.

What is the limitation of the RISA Framework that Bo Seo is concerned about?

Bo Seo is concerned that finding the right kind of alignment in people's interests for engaging in a disagreement is increasingly difficult, as some may simply want to hurt one another's feelings, which does not lead to productive conversations.

How can the RISA Framework be applied in family gatherings during holidays?

The RISA Framework can be applied by starting every disagreement with a bit of agreement, naming the exact point of disagreement, and checking the motivations for engaging in the disagreement to ensure a more productive conversation.

What is the importance of listening in debates and how does it differ from a passive act?

Listening in debates is an active process where it is crucial to understand the opposition's argument as they would understand it, and to respond to the strongest version of their case, which can lead to a more robust and productive conversation.

What are the 'side-switch exercises' and how do they contribute to a debater's perspective?

The 'side-switch exercises' involve putting oneself in the opponent's shoes to write the best arguments for the opposing side and identifying flaws in one's own case. This exercise helps create empathy, humility, and a more open-minded approach to disagreements.

How does Bo Seo connect the practice of debate to personal and political conversations?

Bo Seo connects debate practices to personal and political conversations by emphasizing the importance of empathy, humility, and active listening. These practices can help individuals navigate contentious issues in a more humane, compassionate, and productive manner.