The advancement of technology has presented us with many debatable topics. Examples include Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate change, job substitution, privacy rights, and freedom of speech.
Examples of debate issues include, among many more:
- Is AI a threat to human employment?
- The impact of AI on creativity: Can machines overdo human creativity?
- Should AI be used in decision-making processes in the justice system?
- The balance between privacy and security: How much privacy should we sacrifice to enhance social security?
- Is social media more harmful than beneficial to society?
- Is environmental change a threat to humanity and the environment
It is essential that we educate ourselves and enhance our skills to deal with conflicts. There are available models whose integration may help us deal with conflicts wisely.
One example of such integration of models is integrating the 4Cs of conflict with the 4Cs of stages of conflict, so that we do the right thing at each stage of conflict.
The four stages of conflict development are: Presentation – disproof – summation – questions and answers.
The 4Cs of debate are: Communication, so that the presentation of the conflict may be logical and focused. Critical thinking helps in disproving one or both sides of a conflict. Summation is of high importance to make an effective presentation and to make sure the conflicting parties are on the same wavelength. Creativity is very helpful in answering the questions in the last stage of a conflict and suggesting breakthrough ideas.
The above discussions are in line with the 3Ms model of debate, consisting of Manner, Matter, and Method.
How we present our ideas and what substantial issues we cover, and the methods we use to communicate our thoughts, are essential for debates to pass the four stages of debates successfully.
