Why might a leading question be problematic in a debate?

A leading question is problematic in a debate because it inherently steers the respondent towards a particular answer, which can manipulate the response and skew the discussion. This type of questioning often contains bias that suggests a desired response, limiting the scope of the conversation and reducing the opportunity for a respondent to express their true thoughts or feelings on a subject.

In a healthy debate, it's crucial for questions to be neutral and open-ended, allowing participants to share their perspectives freely without influence. When questions lead respondents down a specific path, the resulting answers may not accurately reflect their beliefs, thereby undermining the integrity of the debate. This manipulation can distort the exchange of ideas and diminish the value of the dialogue.