Plaidophile

Beans provide excellent filler material. The addition of beans to Chili doesn't really have a negative impact on the overall flavor (unless you use WAY too many beans) but it does provide substance to chili that might otherwise be too thin or too meaty.

AND they're good for you! So I'd say overall that's a big "yes" to beans.

1. No,
2. Not very.

1. Only if it is chili for consumption as is. If it is meant to go on something (i.e., a dog, or fries) then beans are a definite no. However, chili meant to be eaten as is that doesn't have beans is usually too thin.
2. Fairly strongly. I'll eat chili without beans, but I really don't like chili dogs or chili fries with beans.

The chili I usually make has beans, but that's mostly because I haven't bothered to learn a non-vegetarian chili recipe.

Personally I think that beans in topping chili makes it better! Beans on chilidogs and chili fries and chili burgers! DELICIOUS BEANS!

Also beans help to thicken it in a tasty way, so you don't need so much corn starch which just makes it kind of gummy and gross.

definitely. beans are much healthier than adding more meat. i have not made chili without beans and i do not intend to. although it's probably not worth getting bent out of shape over. interestingly enough, what's for lunch today? chili with beans!
-bill