[centmot]

Not everyone is a good debater. You'll not be able to logically convince everyone, but it is possible that you'll be able to move a percentage toward your side of the argument.

At the minimum good debating requires taking perspectives, it isn't sufficient to shoot down or simply argue against the other side.

Therein lies the difficulty - to allow yourself to take perspective of the other side opens you up to the possibility of losing because you do not have the skills to navigate the complexity of debating.

People who can take perspectives and then still choose their side, are naturally much more rational and that is evidence to those who are watching.