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Random debate question

Incoherence October 21, 2018 at 20:04 2700 views 5 comments
1. Is it possible to avoid any form of logical fallacy in debate?

2. How someone should debate if he/she want to win a debate?

3. How could I learn to build good argument in regular debate? and how it differ from philosophical debate?

Comments (5)

Ying October 21, 2018 at 22:54 #221728
Quoting Incoherence
1. Is it possible to avoid any form of logical fallacy in debate?


Maybe if you're really careful. Probably not. Talking about informal fallacies, here.


2. How someone should debate if he/she want to win a debate?


Depends on the audience and arena.


3. How could I learn to build good argument in regular debate?


"Good", as in, convincing? There are various books on the market on how to communicate effectively. Basically that, and practice.

and how it differ from philosophical debate?


The same way any debate within a technical sphere differs from one in the private sphere. Debates within a technical sphere have their own specific patterns of inference and appraisal. This extra structure isn't present in debates held within the private sphere.
prothero October 21, 2018 at 22:55 #221730
I hope what one looks for here is discussion not debate.
The difference being in debate the goal seems to be winning or scoring points and in discussion the point would be understanding other points of view and the people that hold them.
Incoherence October 21, 2018 at 23:27 #221736
I hope what one looks for here is discussion not debate.
The difference being in debate the goal seems to be winning or scoring points and in discussion the point would be understanding other points of view and the people that hold them.

Thanks for your input.
Most of philosophers that I know IRL is actually speaking things in what you defined as discussion, just like in some philosophical forum.
Deleted User October 22, 2018 at 00:15 #221749
This user has been deleted and all their posts removed.
Jake October 22, 2018 at 09:04 #221794
Quoting Incoherence
2. How someone should debate if he/she want to win a debate?


Attack your opponent's position from within their own world view.

As example, if you wanted to challenge atheism you should do so by asking for evidence to support this position, not by quoting holy book verses.

As example, if you wanted to challenge Catholicism, you might start by referencing the Catholic belief that God is ever present in all times and places, a doctrine which suggests there is no need to be "saved" given that, according to Catholic doctrine, there is no place one can be but with God.

Don't attack from the outside, uncover the contradictions within the other sides position. Attack from inside the tent.