DEBATE
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1. Debate: According to the philosopher
John Stuart Mill, debate is a platform for the
clash and evaluation of ideas, where
through the interplay of opposing
arguments, truth is more likely to emerge,
fostering intellectual growth and progress.
2. Individual Decisions: Drawing from the
writings of Immanuel Kant, individual
decisions are perceived as actions
stemming from autonomous reasoning and
the moral duty to follow the categorical
imperative, wherein one's choices are made
based on universal ethical principles.
3. Group Discussion: From the perspective
of Jürgen Habermas, group discussion
signifies a communicative process through
which participants engage in rational
discourse to reach a consensus or an
understanding grounded in the notion of an
ideal speech situation, ensuring inclusivity
and fairness.
4. Persuasion: In the view of Aristotle,
persuasion involves the art of rhetoric,
emphasizing the use of ethos, pathos, and
logos to appeal to an audience's emotions,
credibility, and logic, aiming to influence
their beliefs or actions through convincing
argumentation.
5. Propaganda: The philosopher Hannah
Arendt describes propaganda as a tool used
by totalitarian regimes to manipulate public
opinion, employing mass communication to
fear, and suppress critical thinking, thus
undermining the foundation of democratic
society.
6. Coercion: According to Thomas Hobbes,
coercion represents the imposition of power
to enforce obedience, based on the social
contract theory, where the sovereign's
authority is justified in maintaining order
and preventing the chaos that arises from
the state of nature, legitimizing the use of
force for collective security.
7. Combination of Methods: Building upon
the ideas of John Dewey, a combination of
methods refers to the integration of
experiential learning and reflective thinking,
fostering a holistic approach to education
that encourages problem-solving, creativity,
and critical inquiry, ensuring a well-rounded
development of individuals.
8. Ethical Decision Making: In the ethical
framework proposed by John Rawls, ethical
decision making is the process of selecting
actions based on the principles of justice as
fairness, where individuals engage in a
thought experiment of the original position
and veil of ignorance to ensure impartiality
and uphold the rights and liberties of all
members of society.
Ethical decision making refers to the
process of evaluating choices based on
moral principles and philosophical
frameworks that guide individuals in
determining right from wrong. Some of the
key ethical theories used in decision making
include:
1. Utilitarianism: This theory, advocated by
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill,
focuses on maximizing overall happiness
and minimizing suffering, emphasizing the
consequences of actions as the basis for
ethical evaluation.
2. Deontological Ethics: Proposed by
Immanuel Kant, deontological ethics
emphasizes the importance of adhering to
moral duties and obligations, irrespective of
the outcomes, promoting the idea of acting
from a sense of duty and following universal
moral principles.
3. Virtue Ethics: Originating from the works
of Aristotle, virtue ethics underscores the
significance of developing moral character
and cultivating virtues, suggesting that
ethical behavior arises from a habit of
virtuous living and striving for excellence.
4. Ethics of Care: The ethics of care theory,
developed by Carol Gilligan and Nel
Noddings, emphasizes the significance of
empathetic and compassionate
relationships, highlighting the moral
responsibility to care for others, particularly
in contexts such as family, community, and
caregiving.
5. Social Contract Theory: Elaborated by
philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John
Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the
social contract theory underscores the
importance of a hypothetical agreement
among individuals forming a society,
emphasizing the role of mutual consent and
cooperation in shaping moral and political
obligations.
Certainly! Here are ten commonly
referenced laws used in debate along with
their applications:
1. **Law of Identity:** This law, stating that
something is itself and not different, is
crucial in formal logic and philosophy,
helping to establish the basis for valid
arguments and reasoning.
2. **Law of Non-Contradiction:** Integral to
logic, this law asserts that a statement
cannot be both true and false
simultaneously, aiding in the construction of
coherent and consistent arguments,
particularly in philosophy and mathematics.
3. **Law of Excluded Middle:** This law
posits that a statement is either true or
false, with no middle ground, and is
frequently applied in formal logic,
mathematics, and computer science,
ensuring the clarity and precision of
arguments.
4. **Habeas Corpus:** This legal principle
ensures that individuals cannot be detained
without a legal basis, serving as a
fundamental safeguard of personal liberty
and protecting individuals from arbitrary
arrest or detention.
5. **Freedom of Speech:** Found in many
constitutional frameworks, this principle
protects the right to express opinions
without government interference, serving as
a cornerstone of democratic societies and
fostering open discourse and the exchange
of ideas.
6. **Presumption of Innocence:** Forming a
key component of criminal justice systems,
this principle mandates that individuals are
considered innocent until proven guilty,
safeguarding individuals from unfair
treatment and ensuring a fair trial process.
7. **Right to Privacy:** Embedded in many
legal systems, this right shields individuals
from unwarranted intrusions into their
personal life, offering protection from
unwarranted surveillance and maintaining
personal autonomy and dignity.
8. **Equality Before the Law:** Ensuring that
all individuals are subject to the same legal
treatment, this principle promotes fairness
and justice within legal systems, preventing
discrimination and upholding the rights of
all individuals regardless of their
background or status.
9. **Freedom of Assembly:** Enshrined in
many democratic societies, this right
enables individuals to peacefully gather and
express their views, promoting civic
engagement and fostering the development
of diverse and inclusive communities.
10. **Right to Due Process:** Fundamental
to legal systems, this right guarantees that
individuals are entitled to fair treatment
during legal proceedings, safeguarding
against arbitrary actions and ensuring the
protection of legal rights and procedures.
Academic debate and applied debate differ
in their focus, context, and objectives. Here
are the distinctions between the two, along
with examples for each:
**Academic Debate:**
1. **Focus on Theoretical Discourse:**
Academic debate emphasizes the
exploration of abstract ideas, theories, and
concepts within a controlled academic
setting. For instance:
- Debating the philosophical implications
of utilitarianism versus deontological ethics.
- Discussing the validity of postmodernist
perspectives in literary analysis.
- Analyzing the social and economic
impact of Marxist theories in contemporary
societies.
2. **Emphasis on Research and Critical
Analysis:** Academic debates prioritize in-
depth research and the application of
critical thinking skills to analyze complex
subjects. For example:
- Investigating the psychological effects of
childhood trauma on cognitive development.
- Analyzing the historical context and
cultural significance of ancient religious
texts.
- Evaluating the ecological impact of
climate change policies on biodiversity
conservation.
3. **Targeted Audience of Peers and
Academics:** Academic debates are often
geared towards an audience of scholars,
experts, and peers within a specific field of
study. For instance:
- Presenting research findings on quantum
mechanics at a physics conference.
- Participating in a panel discussion on
feminist theory at an academic symposium.
- Defending a thesis on the political
implications of postcolonial literature in
academia.
**Applied Debate:**
1. **Focus on Real-World Applications:**
Applied debate involves the practical
application of ideas and theories to address
real-world issues and challenges. For
example:
- Debating the implementation of specific
public health policies to combat infectious
diseases.
- Discussing the ethical considerations of
artificial intelligence in the context of
autonomous vehicles and their impact on
road safety.
- Analyzing the socio-economic
implications of free trade agreements on
local industries and employment.
2. **Problem-Solving and Policy
Formulation:** Applied debates often
revolve around identifying and solving
practical problems and formulating
effective policies and strategies. For
example:
- Debating the best practices for
sustainable urban development and
environmental conservation.
- Discussing the optimal approach to
addressing global food security challenges
through agricultural innovation and
international cooperation.
- Analyzing the impact of technological
advancements on the future of work and
proposing strategies to mitigate potential
job displacement.
3. **Targeted Audience of Policy Makers
and Stakeholders:** Applied debates are
frequently directed towards policymakers,
stakeholders, and the general public to
inform decision-making and foster practical
solutions. For example:
 - Participating in a public forum on
healthcare reform to address issues of
accessibility and affordability.
- Engaging in a town hall debate on
education policy reform to enhance learning
outcomes and promote equitable access to
education.
- Advocating for specific environmental
policies to combat climate change and
promote sustainable development at a
global climate summit.
In the realm of debate, various ethical
standards contribute to fostering a
respectful and constructive discourse.
Some of the key ethical standards for
debate include:
1. **Honesty and Integrity:** Debaters
should present truthful information and
arguments, refraining from deliberate
falsehoods or misrepresentation of facts to
gain an advantage.
2. **Respect and Civility:** Participants
should maintain a respectful and courteous
demeanor, refraining from personal attacks,
derogatory language, or disrespectful
behavior towards fellow debaters or the
audience.
3. **Fairness and Impartiality:** Debates
should be conducted in a fair and impartial
manner, ensuring that all sides have equal
opportunities to present their arguments
and evidence without bias or discrimination.
4. **Open-Mindedness and Willingness to
Listen:** Debaters should demonstrate
open-mindedness and a willingness to listen
to opposing viewpoints, fostering a culture
of intellectual curiosity and the exploration
of diverse perspectives.
5. **Adherence to Rules and Guidelines:**
Participants should adhere to the rules and
guidelines established for the debate,
respecting time limits, topic boundaries, and
other procedural requirements to maintain
order and fairness.
6. **Citation and Attribution:** Debaters
should give credit to the sources of their
arguments and evidence, citing sources
accurately and acknowledging the
contributions of others to maintain
academic honesty and integrity.
7. **Avoidance of Fallacious Reasoning:**
Participants should avoid using fallacious
reasoning, such as ad hominem attacks,
straw man arguments, or appeal to emotion,
ensuring that arguments are based on
sound logic and evidence.
8. **Inclusivity and Diversity:** Debates
should foster inclusivity and diversity,
encouraging participation from individuals
with different backgrounds, perspectives,
and experiences to promote a
comprehensive and well-rounded
discussion.

9. **Transparency and Accountability:**
Participants should maintain transparency
in their arguments and disclose any
conflicts of interest or biases that might
influence their positions, ensuring
accountability for their statements and
actions.
10. **Constructive Criticism and
Feedback:** Debaters should provide
constructive criticism and feedback to
facilitate learning and growth, promoting a
culture of constructive dialogue and
improvement within the debate community.
Certainly, here are three common
techniques in logic along with
demonstrations of how they are used:
1. **Syllogism:**
- Example: All humans are mortal.
Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is
mortal.
- Explanation: This technique involves
deducing a conclusion from two premises,
where the conclusion follows logically from
the major and minor premises.
2. **Modus Ponens:**
- Example: If it is raining, then the ground
is wet. It is raining. Therefore, the ground is
wet.
- Explanation: This technique affirms the
antecedent in a conditional statement,
allowing one to draw a valid conclusion
based on the truth of the conditional
statement and the truth of its antecedent.
3. **Reductio ad Absurdum:**
- Example: Let's assume that all dogs can
fly. If all dogs can fly, then we should see
them flying in the sky. However, since we
don't see any flying dogs, the initial
assumption must be false.
- Explanation: This technique involves
demonstrating the absurdity or
contradiction that arises from assuming a
statement or proposition to be true, leading
to the conclusion that the initial assumption
is false.
These techniques are fundamental in
constructing and evaluating logical
arguments, helping to establish the validity
and soundness of reasoning in various
contexts, including philosophy,
mathematics, and everyday discourse.
Certainly! Here are ten fun controversies
that can serve as engaging topics for
debate in the Philippines:
1. **Jollibee vs. McDonald's:** Debate on
which fast-food chain has the best offerings
and why, considering taste, variety, and
cultural relevance.
2. **Manny Pacquiao's Boxing Legacy:**
Debate on whether Manny Pacquiao is the
greatest Filipino boxer of all time,
considering his achievements, impact on
the sport, and contributions to Filipino pride.
3. **Filipino Telenovelas vs. Korean
Dramas:** Debate on the popularity and
influence of Filipino telenovelas versus the
growing trend of Korean dramas in the
Philippines, taking into account storytelling,
production value, and cultural appeal.
4. **Jeepneys vs. Modern Public
Transportation:** Debate on the pros and
cons of the iconic jeepneys versus the push
for modern and efficient public
transportation systems in the country,
considering factors such as accessibility,
environmental impact, and cultural
significance.
5. **Traditional Filipino Cuisine vs. Fusion
Food:** Debate on the appeal and
significance of preserving traditional Filipino
cuisine compared to the innovation and
fusion of Filipino flavors with international
culinary trends.
6. **Local Music vs. K-Pop:** Debate on the
influence and relevance of local Filipino
music compared to the growing popularity
of Korean pop music (K-Pop) among the
Filipino youth, considering cultural identity,
musical diversity, and global appeal.
7. **Filipino Pageants: Empowerment or
Objectification?:** Debate on the societal
impact of beauty pageants in the
Philippines, examining whether they
empower women or perpetuate harmful
beauty standards and objectification.
8. **Traditional Festivals vs. Modern
Celebrations:** Debate on the preservation
of traditional Filipino festivals versus the
emergence of modern celebrations and
events, considering cultural heritage,
tourism, and community engagement.
9. **Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)
vs. NBA:** Debate on the preference for the
local Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)
over the National Basketball Association
(NBA) or vice versa, considering player skills,
league competitiveness, and fan
engagement.
10. **Philippine Social Media Influencers vs.
Traditional Celebrities:** Debate on the
impact and credibility of social media
influencers compared to traditional
celebrities in shaping public opinion,
marketing trends, and cultural influence in
the Philippines.