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attitude. For that reason talk to increase ideas, requiring reasoning and evidence, is a discussion. But it should avoid the tone of argument. While serious, it must remain courteous and pleasant. It ought not to sound as if it were a contest for victory, but a fair exchange for better understanding. As the danger in gossip is detraction, in discussion it is acrimony and passion. While talking ideas you should constantly remind yourself to be good-natured about it and to make it easy for the other to remain good-natured, too. When it becomes otherwise, it defeats its purpose. People meet and talk, first, to go away better friends than ever; secondly, to understand each other better and to develop respect for each other's viewpoints; and thirdly, possibly to revise these viewpoints and to adjust them mutually so as to bring them more in line with the real truth of things. Conversation, particularly on the discussion level, is the method of spreading truth through friendship. Whenever a person's manner of discussion jeopardizes this friendly feeling, then he is promoting his ego but not advancing the truth. |
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