Sure, debate may involve a lot of techniques that are counterproductive to truth-seeking, and I wouldn’t want people to write on the EA Forum like it’s a debate, for example. However, I think there are many places where it would help to be able to convey more convincing arguments even if being more convincing doesn’t improve truth-seeking—speaking with non-EAs about EA, for example.
I generally want us to use truth-seeking methods when engaging with outsiders as well. Of course, that isn’t always possible, but I also really don’t want us to have a reputation for using lots of rhetorical tricks to convince others (and generally think that doing so is pretty bad).
Sure, debate may involve a lot of techniques that are counterproductive to truth-seeking, and I wouldn’t want people to write on the EA Forum like it’s a debate, for example. However, I think there are many places where it would help to be able to convey more convincing arguments even if being more convincing doesn’t improve truth-seeking—speaking with non-EAs about EA, for example.
I generally want us to use truth-seeking methods when engaging with outsiders as well. Of course, that isn’t always possible, but I also really don’t want us to have a reputation for using lots of rhetorical tricks to convince others (and generally think that doing so is pretty bad).