issue 34

桌子上的梨

Issue 34/49/76/79/146
In any situation, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.


It is the popular wisdom that discussion can spark ideas and elicit people to fulfill their potentials in some cases. However, when it comes to the saying that progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view in any cases, I highly doubt the path. Also I will allocate some bets on several other approaches.


To begin with, discussion is exerting profound impact on the way how we work, live, study and play. It can be a mind storm to cultivate innovation or even origination. It's the common sense that different people have different yet valid way of seeing the world. By accepting knowledge different from their own, people can learn more of the broad range of the human experience and broaden their vision by enriching themselves for seeing beauty and truth in its many forms. Therefore they can reach a more solid conclusion. By discussion, people with different priorities from different background can balance their competing interest. It can also strengthen the communication between the participator, build up a solid relationship and cultivate a friendly atmosphere in the workplace.



But such cases by no means indicate that discussion is necessary to make progress in any situation. In fact, in some cases, discussion can be not only futile but also has counter effects. Discussion can be just a waste of time if it is not constructive. Just imagine the endless discussion between politicians on TV. Contrasting point of views often illustrate itself in meaningless rhetorical bouts and shouting matches, during which opponents compete to have their own message heard, but have little interest either in finding any common ground with or in evaluating the merits of the opponent’s viewpoints. Understandably, nobody learn anything meaningful. In fact, these battles only serve to reinforce the predisposition and biases of all concerned. This explained why one pivotal role of leader is to fashion coherent policies to terminate meaningless discussions.


Also, accompanying all the boons brought about by discussion have come along some unfavorable sufferings, mental discomfort is one of the most important ones. No one ever expect confliction, for all the hassle, the disappointment and even the heartrending it may bring about. Leon Festinger, an American social psychologist, established his theory of Cognitive Dissonance, asserting that when cognitive dissonance occurs, certain psychological discomfort will be engendered, motivating the individual to spare no efforts getting rid of such discomfort. Applying the Cognitive Dissonance Theory into our case, we get to learn that discussion between contrasting points can be really hurt and a great many people think they are thinking during the discussion when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. Another problem with discussion is distraction, if people doubt about his view, it's impossible to focus and fulfill his potential.


The vital judgment, in my perspective, should depend on a case-by-case analysis. For political and social issues, with a effective control, it may be beneficial to brook a wide discussion for get a compromise which achieved the utmost benefits for most people. For science, especially natural science, it's neither possible nor necessary for discussion to make a progress-- our scientific method is essentially a call for progress through trial-and-error.


In sum, although discussions without the common ground can impede progress rather than inspire achievements, reasoned discussion among people who have contrasting points of view may serve to broaden horizon, improving knowledge structures and so on. Accordingly, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.

竹林中人

Issue 34/49/76/79/146
In any situation, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.


It is the（这个ｔｈｅ不必要） popular wisdom that discussion can spark ideas and elicit people to fulfill their potentials in some cases. However, when it comes to the saying that progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view in any cases, I highly doubt the path. Also I will allocate some bets on several other approaches（z这句话始终不知道是什么意思。）.


To begin with, discussion is exerting profound impact on the way how we work, live, study and play. It can be a mind storm to cultivate innovation or even origination. It's the 不要common sense that different people have different yet valid way of seeing the world. By accepting knowledge different from their own, people can learn more of the broad range of the human experience and broaden their vision by enriching themselves for seeing beauty and truth in its many forms. Therefore they can reach a more solid conclusion. By discussion, people with different priorities from different background can balance their competing interest. It can also strengthen the communication between the participatorｓ, build up a solid relationship and cultivate a friendly atmosphere in the workplace.



But such cases by no means indicate that discussion is necessary to make progress in any situation. In fact, in some cases, discussion can be not only futile but also has counter effects. Discussion can be just a waste of time if it is not constructive. Just imagine the endless discussion between politicians on TV. Contrasting point of views often illustrate itself in meaningless rhetorical bouts and shouting matches, during which opponents compete to have their own message heard, but have little interest either in finding any common ground with or in evaluating the merits of the opponent’s viewpoints. Understandably, nobody learn anything meaningful. In fact, these battles only serve to reinforce the predisposition and biases of all concerned. This explained why one pivotal role of leader is to fashion coherent policies to terminate meaningless discussions.


Also, accompanying all the boons brought about by discussion have come along some unfavorable sufferings, mental discomfort is one of the most important ones. No one ever expect confliction, for all the hassle, the disappointment and even the heartrending it may bring about. Leon Festinger, an American social psychologist, established his theory of Cognitive Dissonance, asserting that when cognitive dissonance occurs, certain psychological discomfort will be engendered, motivating the individual to spare no efforts getting rid of such discomfort. Applying the Cognitive Dissonance Theory into our case, we get to learn that discussion between contrasting points can be really hurt and a great many people think they are thinking during the discussion when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. Another problem with discussion is distraction, if people doubt about his view, it's impossible to focus and fulfill his potential.


The vital judgment, in my perspective, should depend on a case-by-case analysis. For political and social issues, with a effective control, it may be beneficial to brook a wide discussion for get a compromise which achieved the utmost benefits for most people. For science, especially natural science, it's neither possible nor necessary for discussion to make a progress-- our scientific method is essentially a call for progress through trial-and-error.


In sum, although discussions without the common ground can impede progress rather than inspire achievements, reasoned discussion among people who have contrasting points of view may serve to broaden horizon, improving knowledge structures and so on. Accordingly, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.

-- by 会员 桌子上的梨 (2012/10/28 18:10:09)

竹林中人

这个题目应该有两个含义，一个是不同意见的人之间的讨论是否必定带来进步，再就是进步是否必然只有讨论才可以获得。
ＬＺ的第四段可以放在结尾段就好。单独成段显得单薄了点。
其他错误在楼上有标注

桌子上的梨

谢版主！是不是还是没什么进步……

竹林中人

谢版主！是不是还是没什么进步……

-- by 会员 桌子上的梨 (2012/10/29 16:56:34)

思路清晰了很多，进步还是有的，加油