Ive been in the middle of numerous arguments and honestly, the cause for arguments changes depending on the situation.

On one hand, someone could be ruining a topic where good conversation is to be had. Ill argue against them in a hostile way. Ill be straight forward about it on purpose, because I see it as the best way to deal with it. The best way to deal with an "asshat" is to call them out for it. It happened a fair while back, I got myself banned for it, but it worked. He stopped and the community he was winding up instead wisened(sp?) up.

On another hand, I could be arguing with someone over something as trivial as generations. Its not hostile. Its not fierce. There is no venom mixed in with words to try get a rise. Its as just putting my own point of view out there. Why? I do not know. I guess its to do with getting the other guy to "see sense" so to say.

Its healthy to debate. Its educational. You learn new things from every debate/argument and you also have the opportunity to teach at the same time.

I think arguing is human nature. No two people share the exact opinions, arguing is inevitable.

Edit: Great thread btw. Kudos.

I argue to give people who are reading another viewpoint if one is unfairly represented and to try to convince the other person how ridiculous their argument is.

To battle misinformation and fanboyism!

Also cause it's fun to engage in conversation over da interwebs.

Quoted.  Now you have

View points that someone may have missed.

think tor said it best

other than that its out of boredom, sometimes i dont really care about what im arguing for, when theres a topic that i would argue i usually do more research (mostly on the net) before initiating an argument, this research that i do i find rewarding b/c i gain knowledge

This is probably true with most cases of arguements (on the internet.) People usually argue just so they can get their point out there. Which is probably why I argue... I think.

I see opposing opinions as the dark side of the force, and my opinions as the light side. I'm simply trying to bring balance to the force. :p

I've been in a lot of stupid debates, and I could say my reason is different from your list of options. My reasoning for arguing is to Defend my opinion.

Everyone has an opinion about what's a good game, and everyone even has their own favorites. I have my opinions, and often times my opinions are different from the normal. I don't follow trends, just because everyone is playing Bioshock, Gran Turismo, and Final Fantasy, I see no reason to hop on the bandwagon. I play games which I think are good, games which get high reviews, positive feedback from users, or just games which appeal to me.

So because of this I'm often put in a positition where I'll say a niche game is better then the popular one, or I'll critisize a popular game, which I don't think deserves so much praise, and I often get attacked. A lot of times, my complaints about a game are usually issues which are important to me, but hold little weight to others (e.g. non transferable saves between single player and co-op campaign in Killzone 3).

Thus usually I argue to defend my opinions. I tend to usually argue to people to defend my opinion about flaws or bad game designs in popular games, or at least stuff which to me appears poorly done.

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Off topic I also argue to defend my opinion, but I don't think I'm arogant. I've learnt a lot in discussions about junk food taxes, gun bans, and various other political topics, and I've change my opinions because of good debates. (Instead of taxing junk food, we should lift corn subsidies, and maybe tax junk food specifically, while giving a tax break on healthy food).

However a debate is not an arguement, and I wish I could always just debate topics, instead of argue. Why can't people accept others opinions?

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P.S. I think GT and Final Fantasy are great games, but I do think Forza is as good of a racer, and there are many better JRPG's then recent Final Fantasy's

I do it to improve my english. I learned alot doing it here. I also don't like one sided arguments where one point is overlooked so I try to get it out there even if its not really my belief its nice to see some diversity in a thread.

I wish I was as good with words as you, when I respond, I make essays.

I debate for the same reasons, and I usually feel like I'm that 1 voice against a few really hartcore fans who won't accept other peoples views.

This is why, you and I have never had an arguement! LOL, but I don't think we ever had a good debate either.