<p>The claim: “Disagreement leads to progress”</p>
<p>Disagreement is a necessary step in the path of progress. Disagreement is a fundamental cause for the exploration of all the options and possibilities confronting us. Claiming that any good can come out of disagreement (which is generally perceived as detrimental) is regarded foolish at first glance. I will try to illustrate with examples how the claim is true.</p>
<p>Consider the severe fuel and energy crisis the world has been facing for over a decade. Current sources of fuel and energy are nearing depletion and the world is in dire need of alternate sources. Which is the most pragmatic alternate source? Is it not because of vehement disagreement on the matter that we have explored various options to such an extent. Today we already have highly developed techniques to harness nuclear energy, solar energy, wind energy, etc. and a lot more research and development is underway.</p>
<p>Another example that vividly explains the claim is the situation that arose when Acer computers was founded. One portion of the board was of the opinion that only laptop computers should be produced (as they thought that was the way of the future) while the other side wanted only desktop computers to be produced (because they thought laptops were too expensive for the common man). Eventually Acer produced both laptops and desktops. Today they have a significant market share of both laptop as well as desktop segments.</p>
<p>Provided that both parties are open-minded and think clearly with progress as their ultimate goal (not personal gain), disagreement can definitely pave the way for progress in the fields of science, technology, social sciences, humanities and every other field.</p>
<p>and before you ask......yes i did make up the example</p>