The truth. James Baldwin spent years trying to take a calm, intellectual point of view and funny part about this society is that we don't teach for intellectual dexterity. People leave debates with the same thoughts that they entered the debate with regardless if they are schooled or not.
This comment struck a chord with me... I think it's worth isolating and asking "What can be done about it?"
Because it doesn't happen in every argument.
I suppose it all boils down to humility? Openness, as opposed to entrenched defensiveness?
For Rob Portman, it took his son telling him he was gay for him to reverse his stance on gay marriage. Can anyone recall a debate where it happened with words? Somebody being given new information and/or corrected-- someone being schooled-- and admitting "Maybe you're right," "I was wrong," "I need to rethink my position," "I never thought of it that way," etc? Something?
It can and does happen... Doesn't it?