Arguments to Agreement – GenerationenDialog

To

FROM ARGUMENTS TO AGREEMENT

A game? Ein Spiel?
A process inspired by dialogues in Dublin in August 2025.
Therefore, in English.
Works in every language.
Language is never the problem!
Dialogues between Markos and Willi.
Two international people with very different backgrounds.
How Arguments can lead to Agreement.
Just pose the right questions.
Just find out the facts behind feelings.
Just sort out, what is fact and what is feeling.
Your conscience will develop.
You will find „Erkenntnis“.

Erkenntnis was the only word we could not really translate… Insight, finding, perception, cognition, understanding, …

FROM ARGUMENTS TO AGREEMENT: A DIALOGUE GAME

Aim of the Game

Transform disagreements into shared insights. Win by creating more wise statements that the other side can agree on. Even partial agreement is progress. The ultimate win: mutual understanding.

Players

2 Individuals (Player A vs. Player B)
2 Teams (Team A vs. Team B, each 2–5 players)
Large Groups (spectators can join as judges or vote on agreements)

If desired, a neutral person could take the role of observer, mediator …

Setup

Step 0: Define Key Terms
- Before play begins, agree on the definition of the topic or key concepts.
- If players have different definitions, record both and require speakers to clarify which one
they use.
- This ensures players are truly debating the same idea.
- Define the duration or number of ronds you want to play, e.g. 30 minutes or 3 rounds.
Step 1: Choose a Topic
- Agree on the theme of discussion (politics, ethics, workplace issue, culture, etc.).
Step 2: Define Roles
- Each side becomes A or B. Optionally select a Moderator to keep time and score.
Step 3: Set Limits
- Rounds: Decide number of rounds (e.g., 10 statements each).
- Time: Each statement max. 60 seconds.
- Victory Condition: Most points at the end or reaching a target score (e.g., 15 points).
- Estimated Playtime: 20–40 minutes per session depending on rounds chosen.

How to Play

Statement Phase:
- Player A makes a statement (fact, value, opinion, or thesis).
- Player B must decide:
  - Agree → A scores points.
  - Partially Agree → A scores fewer points.
  - Disagree → A scores nothing.
- Then Player B makes a statement, and A responds.
Explaining Disagreements:
- If a player disagrees (or only partially agrees), they must explain why.
- Clarify whether the disagreement is about a fact, a value, or a feeling.
- Optionally, reframe the statement into something they could agree with (this earns no points but encourages collaboration).
Continuing Turns:
- If your statement is agreed with, you may continue with another.
- Keep going until the other side disagrees.
Scoring System:
- Full Agreement = 2 points
- Partial Agreement = 1 point
- No Agreement = 0 points
- Bonus +1 point for statements that appeal to shared values (define values?)
Winning:
- The side with the highest score wins.
- Everyone wins by learning to understand different arguments and how to find agreement.
Handling Stalemates:
- If both sides repeatedly disagree, enter a „Reframe Round“.
- Each side must restate the other’s position in a way that the other side accepts.
- If successful, earn +1 point.

Variations

Role Switch: Nach der Hälfte der Runden wechseln die Spieler:innen die Rollen und argumentieren aus der gegenüberliegenden Perspektive.
Partner Mode (2 vs. 2): Teammitglieder müssen sich intern einigen, bevor sie sprechen.
Challenge Option: Die Gegenseite kann Beweise oder eine Erläuterung verlangen, bevor sie reagiert.
Prompt Cards: Vorgefertigte Fragen oder Wertestatements dienen als Impulsgeber für das Spiel (z. B. „Freiheit ist wichtiger als Sicherheit“).
Trio-Mode (3 Positionen): Zu Beginn existieren oder werden drei Antwort-Szenarien definiert, drei klare Positionen. Ein Würfel entscheidet das Team mit dem niedrigsten Wert (Team A) und das mit den höchsten (Teams B und C). Spielreihenfolge: Team A beginnt, gefolgt von B und C. Dieser Modus spiegelt reale Impuls-Workshops wider, in denen oft drei Meinungsrichtungen auftreten.
Online- und Gruppenanpassungen: Nutzung eines digitalen Scoreboards (z. B. Spreadsheet oder App). Reaktionsbuttons wie „Agree / Partly Agree / Disagree“ ermöglichen einfaches Feedback. In größeren Gruppen kann das Publikum abstimmen, ob ein Punkt vergeben wird.

Why Play

Learn to distinguish facts from feelings.
Practice empathy and constructive dialogue.
Build bridges across disagreements.
Train negotiation and consensus-building skills.
Learning critical (CT) thinking in a world full of fake news and misinformation

Do you have to be an expert to play?

Of course not. We all have our opinions, experiences, prejudices on many topics. It’s a good occasion to challenge them with our friends, colleagues. Just play. You will benefit. Discuss the results with experts. That will be even more benefit.

Example Round

Topic: Work-Life Balance

A: ‚Having time for family is important for health.‘
B: Agree ® +2 points for A. A continues.
A: ‚Everyone should work no more than 30 hours a week.‘
B: Disagree ® ‚I disagree because some people may want to work longer hours for financial reasons. For me, flexibility is more important than strict limits.‘ ® 0 points. Turn passes to B.

Everybody can copy and ply the game free of charge and obligations.

We only have one wish: keep us in the loop. Join in with GD.

Tell us, when you download it, play it, share it …office@generationendialog.com

Our initiative “GenerationDialogue” depends on the people, who grow with us.

You may find new partners to play with – personally or online.

Final Note – Always Remember:

The aim is not victory over the other, but shared insight. Even if you reach 60–70% agreement, that’s better than 100% disagreement

NExt steps: Testing

We look for persons or teams to start testing the game and eventually adapting the rules.

To

FROM ARGUMENTS TO AGREEMENT

FROM ARGUMENTS TO AGREEMENT: A DIALOGUE GAME

Aim of the Game

Players

Setup

How to Play

Variations

Why Play

Do you have to be an expert to play?

Example Round

© Copyright and sharing

Final Note – Always Remember:

KONTAKT:

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BACKGROUND