Philosophical Debating

101

What is a debate

• A formal method of presenting an argument(s) in support of or against a given issue. A debater’s goal is to present sufficient reason and evidence to persuade an audience or a group of judges.

Common terms

• Resolution: a simple statement that is subjected to critical analysis

• Affirmative team: team which supports the resolution (“pro”-side); 1st to speak

• Negative team: team which opposes arguments offered by the affirmative team (“con”-side)

• Rebuttal: disagreement of opposing team’s argument

• Judge: neutral third party

Debate structure

Video

• THINKR video

What skills are needed?

• Public speaking• Critical thinking• Note taking• Organizing• Listening• Researching• Writing• Teamwork and people skills

3 Rs to winning an argument

Fried Chicken anyone?

Affirmative 1

• Be it resolved that eating chicken from Chik Fil A is an unethical action.

• Buddhist/Confucianist

Negative 1

• Eating at Chik Fil is not unethical as:

• Egoist response

Affirmative 2

• Deontological view

Negative 2

• Existentialist view• Utilitarian

• http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/njuhlin-1570785-ethics-chick-fil/

Final rebuttals

• Sum up arguments

Let’s get ready to debate

Speed debating – ethical dilemmas

1st affirmative – I minute1st negative – 1 minute2 minute break2nd affirmative – 1 minute2nd negative – 1 minuteRebuttals (30 seconds each)

Be sure to incorporate different philosophical positions from normative ethical responses.

Useful websites

• http://www.sevenoaksphilosophy.org/ethics.html

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/guide/

• http://people.wku.edu/jan.garrett/320/320specf.htm