[Kelly617]

I enjoy a good natured debate/argument, but sometimes I can get a little too impassioned and emotional about it, especially if it's something that actually matters to me, or something I believe in. I don't mind conflict, and sometimes I welcome it if there are things that need to be said, but it's always tough for me to stay impartial.

I'm an ENFP, 7w8. :D

[My Sweet Stalin]

I find myself getting pulled into debates but I actually don't like them and almost always wish I hadn't bothered. I don't think it's possible to change someone's mind in a debate. What many people call logic is actually just a set of elaborate rationalizations for what they emotionally believe and want anyway; in fact sometimes I suspect that may be the case for all applications of logic to human problems.

I don't think it's possible to change anyone's mind in a debate unless they've already started to change it anyway, so it winds up being a wasted effort unless you're doing it for an audience.

I think I tend to jump in because I will detect some kind of dishonesty in the views being expressed. Usually there's something about the wording that reveals a less than virtuous motive or a discursive slight of hand going on, and I cannot resist pointing that out. It's not just an ENFP thing, it's also having some background in discourse analysis and linguistics, and I do think I'm right most of the time that it happens.

Of course, nobody wants to admit this, even to themselves, and so the responses become increasingly elaborately constructed rationalizations, with no end in sight, and it becomes so tedious that I give up out of sheer boredom. They take my unwillingness to pick through these as a sign of victory, and I guess in a way it is, but not one that costs me anything so whatever.

I don't think you can really change minds, but you can change hearts, and if you do then the minds will follow. That's a much more difficult process, though, and it definitely won't happen on an internet forum or talk radio.

[shampoo]

Im bad when it comes to debating ^^, and i know its cuz when im debating i can't put my thoughts into the right words, i cud have fun debating if the persons in my head.......
MOST of the ENFPs iv seen are type 7, including me, many of us in this thread too....!!!

[MuChApArAdOx]

I find myself getting pulled into debates but I actually don't like them and almost always wish I hadn't bothered. I don't think it's possible to change someone's mind in a debate. What many people call logic is actually just a set of elaborate rationalizations for what they emotionally believe and want anyway; in fact sometimes I suspect that may be the case for all applications of logic to human problems.

I don't think it's possible to change anyone's mind in a debate unless they've already started to change it anyway, so it winds up being a wasted effort unless you're doing it for an audience.

I think I tend to jump in because I will detect some kind of dishonesty in the views being expressed. Usually there's something about the wording that reveals a less than virtuous motive or a discursive slight of hand going on, and I cannot resist pointing that out. It's not just an ENFP thing, it's also having some background in discourse analysis and linguistics, and I do think I'm right most of the time that it happens.

Of course, nobody wants to admit this, even to themselves, and so the responses become increasingly elaborately constructed rationalizations, with no end in sight, and it becomes so tedious that I give up out of sheer boredom. They take my unwillingness to pick through these as a sign of victory, and I guess in a way it is, but not one that costs me anything so whatever.

I don't think you can really change minds, but you can change hearts, and if you do then the minds will follow. That's a much more difficult process, though, and it definitely won't happen on an internet forum or talk radio.

Unless i really believe i am right, i give up quick ; D....one of the problems i have with debates online is i get bored mid way through :p....i see another thread that is much more interesting, or i leave the computer to do things i consider more important. By the time i get back, i feel like Pufff, why am i wasting my time and energy :D....it has to be something of importance, or with someone who is sincere with the questions. Other than that, i lost my focus long before it ended. I think its an ENFP thing to lose interest with people and topics quite easily. We can always find something that catches our eye, leaving the previous in the dust. I've become quite used to ignoring my surroundings when i'm bored or not interested.

[nádej]

I'm bad at debate because I have a great deal of trouble keeping my emotions out of it. And I like to throw in personal anecdotes instead of cold, hard, facts, because quite frankly the personal anecdotes have had a much greater effect on the way I see things, and to ignore them would feel dishonest. Also, I pretty much always believe I'm right, so...

The whole thing is a mess.

Apologies to anyone who has had to read posts of mine on the Debate Forum. I get really impassioned about what I read, and then I post nonsense, and then I regret it - but not enough to take it down.

[WMDistraction]

I love to debate, personally. As long as the person remains respectful of my views throughout the debate--which I realize can be an impossible request on the Internet--I can keep a level head and debate all day. However, the moment someone belittles or insults my views, I become fairly indignant and can be just as, if not more, offensive than the original offender.

[ytisibrsk]

This comment by Eerie struck a chord:

<<I love debating. It's...fun. But because I'm an enfp, people will often project their emotions onto me. "You're being emotional" "calm down" when these people don't realize that debating is something that I do for entertainment. >>

Also, I can really slam someone sometimes, who I feel is taking advantage of others. Like, sitting there being self-centred, disagreeing with people who are trying to offer helpful advice, but no, none of it's good enough, no, I'm special, I'm entitled, I'm so bloody different," etc. I can run out of patience all of a sudden, and say basically, "put up or shut up, this is what I think, so there," gavel-thwack. You wanna know what I think? Ok, then, here it is, Deal With It, it's a free country, there's free speech, and you asked for it! So debates can bring out a sort of stage aggressiveness, like, "ok then, Bam!"

But I like debates. I liked something my late father used to say, "never argue with someone you don't respect." I'll usually give them one try, and then, oh, who cares, dismissal.

For what it's worth.

[nottie]

When I was forced to do it in my US Gov class back in 10th grade, I was good at it. I don't like doing it, though. I can make myself believe the points of the flip side easily, and that comes in handy. An important part of being an effective debater for me is getting a little mad, though, and I hate getting mad. My knee jerk reaction is to solve things with discussions.

It's especially irritating because it's so easy for me to see both sides of an argument equally. Even if I agree with someone (by someone I mean my ENTP type 8 friend :P) on a topic sometimes I'll accidentally end up debating with them to try and clear up the other side's 'agenda'. And then I'll get annoyed because I'll feel it's turned to bickering and she'll think "great! debating! funfunfun C:"

But I'm very type 9 :P

I'd say it also comes down to enneagram types more than anything else. My ENFP dad is amazing with debates (and he's probably the only person I've willingly engaged with xD). He sometimes shoots for zingers over actually convincing the other person, though. I have no idea what his enneagram is, but it isn't mine. If I had to pull a guess out of my ass.. 6w5?

[violetta]

i LOVE debating..i find it extremely enjoyable to challenge other's ideas and put my own forward-it's a perfect way to express yourself,learn more, and have fun at the same time

[Linnifae]

I seem to play one role or the other when I debate with people. If someone I'm debating with is overly emotional I become detached. If they're detached I become emotional and passionate. It's weird.