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

About this Video

• Video Title: Train for any argument with Harvard’s former debate coach | Bo Seo
• Channel: Big Think
• Speakers: Bo Seo
• Duration: 00:11:51

Introduction

This Big Think video features Bo Seo, a two-time world debate champion and former debate coach at Harvard and Australian debate teams, discussing how to improve argumentation skills. He highlights the current state of public discourse as unproductive and proposes frameworks and techniques to enhance the quality of disagreements.

Key Takeaways

• The Atrophy of Argumentation Skills: Seo argues that the ability to construct and engage in effective arguments has deteriorated, leading to unproductive shouting matches rather than productive discussions.
• The RISA Framework: Seo introduces the RISA framework for evaluating the value of engaging in an argument. It involves considering whether the disagreement is real, important, specific, and whether participants share the same objectives.
• Picking Your Fights: The video emphasizes the importance of selecting arguments strategically, focusing on those that are meaningful and likely to lead to productive outcomes. It's not about winning, but achieving mutual understanding.
• Active Listening: Seo highlights the active role of listening in effective argumentation, emphasizing understanding the opposition's viewpoint from their perspective and responding to their strongest points.
• Side-Switch Exercises: To enhance critical thinking and perspective-taking, Seo advocates for "side-switch exercises," where debaters construct arguments for the opposing side to identify weaknesses in their own reasoning. This promotes humility and empathy.