Yes. Debating or engaging in mental battles is a positive thing. If your conversation partner happens to be a rational, tolerant human being that isn't attached to his world view as being the only true one. I agree.
Like you said, they tend to care too much. Not a bad thing. But in certain situations, you might have a better judgement of what you want to do and what's possible in this life.
You should always respect other people's advice and listen to it. But don't let it shape how you perceive yourself.
There's a fine line between the helping judgement of other people to become self-aware and then being self-aware enough to know when other people are wrong.