Respect in Argumentation

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                      A vital part of argumentation is mutual respect. Without it, there are no boundaries to hold back the violent waves of irrational, name-calling, illogical, and down-right rude tactics that so often plague modern debates. In an age plagued by heightened emotions, political correctness, and a lack of logical thought when debating, respect is sorely lacking and desperately needed to revive the near-dead art of argumentation. When exercised properly, argumentation is a fantastic tool to share opinions, challenge perspectives, analyze thoughts, and exercise each other's brains. It is vital to discovering new ways of thinking, improving answers, and sharpening skills and plans. However, when argumentation is abused, it becomes nothing more than name-calling and a battle won by whomever is most insulting. A pathetic abused of such a difficult art indeed.
                      Many believe that respect in argumentation means one must respect the opposing position. However, such is not the case. As Mr. Robinson wisely points out, respect is not about liking a person or the position on which they stand. No, rather, it is respecting them as an individual and respecting their right to their own opinion. Freedom of thought is a wonderful thing, and freedom to express such thoughts is equally as precious and infinitely more rare. It should be treated with great value for not all are able to enjoy such abilities to openly discuss their opinions. It is for this reason that respect in such discussions is so important for we are all valuable human being, and, while not all ideas are created equal, those who express them deserve the proper treatment to express them. Each individual must be able to decide for themselves what is right, wrong, logical, or nonsensical, and no individual should be afraid to share their thoughts. How shall we learn from a diverse pool of ideals if we do not share with one another our opinions? Furthermore, how will we be able to fish from said pool of thought if we keep others from contributing their ideas because they are inferior? To do so will certainly lead to a sorely depleted idea pool.
                    As Mr. Robinson alluded to in his quote, one does not have to respect the ideology in an argument; however, he must respect the right of the one who has it to hold such a view. It is in failing to show such respect that arguments will no longer be productive; rather, they will become shouting matches and a battle of insults. When this begins to happen in a society, that is when freedom will slowly begin to fade behind a guise of superior intellect and divided perspectives which are forced upon a society by whichever group is more powerful at the time.