Instigator / Pro

Mall

1382

rating

446

debates

45.74%

won

Topic

#6249

It is highly irrational in this reality to make promises.

Status

Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics

Winner

After 2 votes and with 2 points ahead, the winner is...

AdaptableRatman

Tags

logic

truth

modern day debate

Parameters

Publication date: 06.03.2025 01:14AM
Last updated date: 07.13.2025 09:20PM
Type: Standard
Number of rounds: 3
Time for argument: Three days
Max argument characters: 30,000
Voting period: One month
Point system: Winner selection
Voting system: Open

Contender / Con

AdaptableRatman

1597

rating

debates

65.0%

won

Description

Disclaimer : Regardless of the setup for voting win or lose, The aim of this interaction, Is for those that view it, Learn and or take away anything that will amount to any constructive value ultimately. So that counts as anything that'll cause one to reconsider an idea, Understand a subject better, Help build a greater wealth of knowledge getting closer to truth. When either of us has accomplished that with any individual here, That's who the victor of the debate becomes.

Questions on the topic, send a message.

Round 1

Mall

06.05.2025 01:15PM

Pro

According to the reality we live as we know it, we live in uncertainty, right.

So why would making promises be highly logical to make?

My time is short so this may be the shortest round.

People may make promises by a gut feeling, by trusting in something and or deductive reasoning.

But the promise, the nature of it is to assure certainty. Guarantees are pushed the same way.

There are no such things as guarantees. That's why they offer your money back. It's a strong belief in something will work. Not that it certainly will.

Many folks make promises as if they will be fulfilled. The statement I make that promises are made to be broken is appropriate. Expect them to fail.

At least the possibility thereof. I can't make you a promise as if I know this will happen or that will happen.

So why make one? Strictly placebo.

It's an empty promise or empty words until whatever it is guaranteed is fulfilled.

When people say there are no guarantees, that's in all things. When people say this is guaranteed, they're conflating it with certainty. Something bound to happen.

I understand the colloquial habitual usage of terms being mixed around. I won't be hung up on that.

But my bottomline is that when you don't know the end of a thing, don't communicate empty confidence for delivery of that thing.

AdaptableRatman

06.08.2025 01:15PM

Con

Forfeited

Round 2

Mall

06.09.2025 09:18PM

Pro

I rest my case.

AdaptableRatman

06.12.2025 07:20PM

Con

You make a promise to convey intent and help others plan ahead around said promises.

If you fail to keep some promises, it helps others know to rely less on you and motivates you to change.

Round 3

Mall

06.13.2025 05:07PM

Pro

Motivates me to change so therefore I shouldn't have to change from something that is highly rational if it was.

SoI agree , you change to what is highly rational, just stop making promises and fulfill the actions.

Which the difference is talk and the walk .

Case closed.

AdaptableRatman

06.13.2025 06:04PM

Con

The rationality behind promises is to helo others plan ahead around your promises and to lead to reputations of reliability or unreliability being accurate and proven by track record.

If deemed ubreliable now one has a motive to change that. If deemed reliable one has motive to maintain said reputation.

Mall

07.13.2025 09:20PM

People actually believe they can know the future. Debate art fools.

fauxlaw

06.27.2025 05:41PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

The debate Resolution [Resolve] is hampered by the adverb "highly" to describe "irrational" because there is no suggestion to understand what constitute "high." No definition. Further, Pro failed to define "irrational," whereas both words are keywords of tree Resolve, and should be defined to aid voters in the intent of the Resolve. This has been suggested to Pro before.
Without adding definition, the argument is weak. Further still, Pro's argument equated "promise": with "guarantee," which enters the potential of legal territory of a promise, yet pro abandons that usual linkage. A grantee assured a promise by allowing legal action against the failure to uphold the promise. There is nothing irrational about that, whether talking a historical view, of present day.
Con successfully rebutted that that promises can be backed by grantees, but even if not, a person making a promise strengthens the promise by g=follow through to successful ly enhance reputation. thus defeating the Re3solve. Con wins.

Umbrellacorp

06.27.2025 05:12PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

Topic: it is highly irrational to make promises
"Highly". Should've just said irrational to have more chance for defence (Joke). You still defend very well, but your arguments are more philosophical and very fundamental. Respectable from my side, but easy to counter. Because promises actually have a function in society and this fact alone gives them 'rationality'. Now, wether it is irrational to actually make them, depends. To a philosopher who can't stand taking 'average human' actions because he understands the absurdity of reality and rebels and bla bla..., it would be HIGHLY irrational. But to the average homosapien, no, very functional and also affirming to other traits such as: Integrity, commitment, foresight, etc.
Sorry for turning this into my own argument. Shortly, your arguments do not stand for this particular statement.
Very nice, brief and accurate arguments from con.