Argument vs. Discussion

Has it ever occurred to you to think that there might be some similarities and some differences between argument and discussion? Well, why don't you join me?

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both of these words refer to an exchange of ideas between two or more people. However, when people 'argue', they are more arrogant, and one side is always trying to persuade the other. Also, there might be yelling, namecalling, etc. in an argument. A 'discussion', though, is more concerned with exchanging ideas on a particular topic and getting to know other people's perspectives. There is no arrogance, yelling, or any such things.

Differences

As stated above, when two people are having an 'argument', they are trying to persuade the other that they are right. Both sides become emotional mostly. Arrogance, yelling, namecalling, and as such may be seen in an 'argument'. Look:

At first, it was a simple talk but then it turned to an argument.

I do not have any time for useless arguments that take away my inner peace.

However, when some people discuss a topic, they merely exchange their ideas, find out how others view the same issue, and no one tries to force their ideas on the other. Look at the following examples:

I wish I had time to have a discussion class on different movies and series every week.

Their discussion was so interesting that I couldn't focus on anything else.

Similarities

In both cases, two or more people are talking about a particular topic. Check out the following examples:

As one gets older, he/she tries to avoid arguments like who is right and who is wrong.

I was thinking about bringing a recorder and record our discussions.

Are They Interchangeable?

Although we share ideas in both of them, they are still different in meaning. Therefore, we cannot use them interchangeably. When we use 'argument', we refer to a kind of conflict, but when we use 'discussion', we are simply referring to an exchange pf ideas and perspectives. Compare:

✓ Please note that we must stick to classroom principles and not turn this into an argument.

X Please note that we must stick to classroom principles and not turn this into a discussion.

Here, the sentence is wrong because 'discussion' is not the proper word here.

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