Some individuals seem to employ the expression “agree to disagree” during conversations or discussions when things become uncomfortable for them. They use this phrase to sidestep potential conflicts, likely stemming from an inner reluctance to admit they may be wrong and fear that their ignorance could be exposed.
Any thoughts on this behavior?
3 comments
I don’t think it comes from any one motivation. Some people don’t want to admit they’re wrong, sure. But others recognize that the argument is going nowhere and there’s no reason to continue. Still others recognize that it’s not the time/place for an argument.
I think it’s a pretty mature thing to do when prolonging the argument would have negative consequences for the immediate relationship, the environment, the group dynamics, etc.
In my experience, sometimes it’s the only approach you can take in the presence of a problem personality.
I enjoy a good debate and I don’t shy away from playing the devil’s advocate or asserting any controversial views, but there are certain subgroups of people with whom I refuse to engage because I already know how things are going to end and it’s only going to cost me my precious time and brain cells. The only people I bother debating with are people who have demonstrated a certain amount of mental stability.
Usually in conversations like this there are two opposing opinions with no clearcut “right” or “wrong” opinion. So “agreeing to disagree” is merely a way of saying we’re not gonna agree on this, so there’s no point in arguing about it.