Debatology is the scientific study of conversations.

These often involve arguments being presented by multiple individuals in a more or less formally codified verbal exchange.

Conversations studied by debatology can be categorized as either:

(1) epistemological, as they aim at determining the truth via the evaluation of arguments or

(2) ethical, as they aim at informing our actions via the confrontation of perspectives.

Descriptively, it studies the cognitive, behavioral, social, and ecological characteristics of conversations.

Prescriptively, it aims at developing an approach that yields more productive conversations, which inform more valuable decisions.

Videos to bring science-based tools of constructive conversations

A PUBLIC DEBATE FORMAT

OBJECTIVES OF CONSTRUCTIVE PUBLIC DEBATES

A constructive debate is a moment of exchange and communication that aims at establishing what is good or what is true by highlighting both converging and diverging points across interlocutors.

• When a classic debate aims at determining a winning party, one that will have won the argument, constructive debates are friendly to convergence and uncertainty.

• When street epistemology aims at exploring reasons for a belief without judgement, constructive debates seek to establish what is true and what is good.

• When negotiations look for agreement, constructive debates shines a light onto disagreement as much as it does on agreement.

• When mediation aims at reconciling different perspectives with the help of a third party, constructive debates enables all perspectives to coexist without necessitating reconciliation.