The Lost Art of Debate: Can Scotland’s Schools Save Society?
There’s something deeply unsettling about the way we communicate today. From Twitter rants to Facebook echo chambers, it feels like we’ve forgotten how to talk to each other. Personally, I think this isn’t just a problem of manners—it’s a crisis of critical thinking. And it’s one that starts in our schools.
Take my own experience, for instance. Back in 1982, during the Falklands War, my English teacher, Mr. Jones, forced me to argue for a war I opposed in a school debate. At the time, it felt like torture. In hindsight, it was a masterclass in empathy and intellectual rigor. What makes this particularly fascinating is how rare such experiences are today. We’ve swapped robust debate for safe spaces, and the result? A society that’s more polarized, less curious, and increasingly incapable of seeing beyond its own nose.
This brings me to a recent conversation I had with Professor Murray Pittock, one of Scotland’s leading academics. We discussed the decline of the humanities and the erosion of intellectualism in universities. But what struck me most was his observation that the art of debate has been ‘hollowed out.’ In my opinion, this isn’t just an academic problem—it’s a societal one. When we stop debating, we stop growing.
The Echo Chamber Effect
One thing that immediately stands out is how social media has amplified our worst tendencies. Older generations, who once read newspapers and engaged with diverse viewpoints, now drown in a sea of misinformation and outrage. Younger generations, meanwhile, are often accused of being ‘snowflakes,’ but let’s be honest: the problem isn’t age—it’s the system. We’ve created a culture where disagreement is seen as a personal attack, not an opportunity to learn.
What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about hurt feelings. It’s about the erosion of democracy itself. When we can’t engage with opposing views, we lose the ability to govern ourselves. If you take a step back and think about it, debating isn’t just a skill—it’s a vaccine against extremism, ignorance, and division.
Debating as a Lifeline
So, what’s the solution? Pittock suggests reviving school debating societies, and I couldn’t agree more. But here’s the catch: debating isn’t just an extracurricular activity—it should be part of the curriculum. Not everyone has a Mr. Jones in their life, but every child deserves the chance to learn how to think critically and empathetically.
From my perspective, this isn’t about creating a generation of lawyers or politicians. It’s about equipping young people with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex world. AI, misinformation, and polarization aren’t going away. But if we teach kids to question, analyze, and respect differing opinions, they’ll be better prepared to face these challenges.
The Past as a Guide
I used to see the past as a collection of mistakes to be corrected. Now, I see it as a treasure trove of lessons. Debating societies were once a staple of education, and their decline mirrors the decline of civil discourse. What this really suggests is that we’ve lost something vital—something we need to reclaim.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how debating forces us to confront our own biases. When Mr. Jones made me argue for the Falklands War, I didn’t change my mind, but I did gain a deeper understanding of the issue. That’s the power of debate: it doesn’t demand agreement, but it does demand respect.
The Future of Debate
So, should debating be compulsory in Scottish schools? Personally, I think it’s a no-brainer. Yes, it might be uncomfortable. Yes, it might challenge deeply held beliefs. But isn’t that the point? We’re raising a generation that will inherit a world far more complex than the one we grew up in. The least we can do is give them the skills to navigate it.
This raises a deeper question: what kind of society do we want to build? One where disagreement is met with hostility, or one where it’s met with curiosity? I know which one I’d choose. And I think Scotland’s schools have a unique opportunity to lead the way.
In the end, debating isn’t just about winning arguments—it’s about winning the future. And if there’s one thing we should all be able to agree on, it’s that our children deserve that chance.
