@ BETTER DEBATE MANUAL
Thinking and Speaking a Better World
GOALS
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To help students apply types of arguments to real arguments they will find.
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To help students apply the tests of argument types to actual arguments.
BACKGROUND
Induction: arguments proven by specific instances.
Tests: not enough examples, atypical examples, negative examples are better.
Deduction: arguments proven by general concepts
Categorical: what is true of one in a category is true of all
Tests: not in that category, not a real category, not true of all in that category, only true of some in that category.
Disjunctive: there is a choice; one is better than the other.
Tests: There are more choices, the suggested choice is bad, the rejected choice is good, and you can do them both.
Hypothetical/Causal: one thing leads to another.
Tests: factor does not have the causal power, may not always cause, there are other causes, counter causes exist to stop it, effect is actually good.
PROCEDURES
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Look over the arguments in advance and mark ones you like. Do not use arguments that do not appeal to you.
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Have students identify which kind of argument it is, state whether they accept it, and then critique what is wrong with it. They might find that one of the fallacies of argument is present, if so ask them which one. If they have a problem, move on to the next person. If you want, ask students to tell you how they would fix this argument, although it may not be possible.
CAUTION
Many arguments have multiple problems, and some may have none. You can find a list of possible logical fallacies here.
Drill Your Reasoning
Argumentation Exercises
TYPES OF EXERCISES
SAMPLE ARGUMENTS
Many European students are finishing their education and cannot find employment. So, we need to increase education spending.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL/HYPOTHETICAL
Because of youth unemployment in Europe we should focus education on training people for the jobs that exist now or else not bother educating them at all.
DEDUCTION – DISJUNCTIVE
FALLACY: FALSE DICHOTOMY
Many nations have defaulted on their loans and come out better because of it, such as Argentina. Greece needs to consider defaulting.
INDUCTION
FALLACY: HASTY GENERALIZATION
Young Europeans are having a hard time getting jobs; it really is their own fault for not being better prepared for work.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
Online activism is a key to a better world. Why, just look at the way it has helped solve problems like drugs, human trafficking and the use of child soldiers in Africa.
INDUCTION
Online activism teaches people that they can make a difference, and thus makes them better citizens.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
EU governments met with space aliens and it cannot be disproved.
FALLACY: APPEAL TO IGNORANCE
Our leaders know what is good for us, so we should follow them.
DEDUCTION: CAUSATION
FALLACY: APPEAL TO AUTHORITY
The Democratic Party is the party that will lead our nation into being a better democracy.
DEDUCTION: CAUSATION
FALLACY: NAME IS NOT REALITY
Prime Minister: If I told you who my policy advisors are, you would all know them.
FALLACY: CIRCULAR ARGUMENT
A good way to stop the persecution of sexual minorities is to make such actions a crime. Then people will act better towards sexual minorities.
DEDUCTION – HYPOTHETICAL/CAUSAL
We can either raise taxes or cut other programs if we want to spend money to improve medical care.
DEDUCTION – DISJUNCTIVE
FALLACY: FALSE CHOICE
You cannot trust a politician with a nose as long as hers.
DEDUCTION: CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: PERSONAL ATTACK
We can never make strongly Catholic countries recognize full rights for homosexuals.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
If so many people vote for the Center Coalition Party, they must be the best.
DEDUCTION: CAUSATION
FALLACY: APPEAL TO POPULARITY
In terms of influencing how people react to sexual minorities, the church is the most influential force, not the government.
DEDUCTION – DISJUNCTIVE
FALLACY: FALLACY OF DIVISION
If we tax environmentally harmful products more, then people will buy them less.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL/HYPOTHETICAL
If we tax environmentally harmful products, governments will use that tax money wisely to reduce problems in the environment.
DEDUCTION – DISJUNCTIVE
FALLACY: WISHFUL THINKING
Generosity is a virtue, so the middle class should give all they have to the poor.
DEDUCTION: CAUSATION
FALLACY: REDUCING AN IDEA TO ABSURDITY
Public funding of sports programs in bad economic times is a waste of money.
DEDUCTION – DISJUNCTIVE
If we remain united we cannot fail.
DEDUCTION: CAUSATION
FALLACY: APPEAL TO EMOTION
Sports only benefit those who actually play not those who watch and cheer.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
If European universities were free of charge, people would go to university instead of getting jobs.
DEDUCTION - DISJUNCTIVE
A society in which everyone has a university education will be a better society.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
FALLACY: WISHFUL THINKING
Our current socialwelfare states were started under socialism, now a discredited ideology, so they must be changed.
DEDUCTION: CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: DAMNING THE ORIGIN
A strong welfare state will empower women more than a free market society.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
Mother Slovenia needs her children to protect her now because Father Europe is mistreating her.
DEDUCTION: CAUSATION
FALLACY: PERSONIFICATION
Sexual minorities are treated with more respect in prosperous societies like Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. Thus, prosperity is the key to tolerance.
INDUCTION
FALLACY: HASTY GENERALIZATION
MEP X is supported by the major labor unions, so we know his policies are bad for corporations.
DEDUCTION: CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: FALSE DICHOTOMY.
In young people really love their home countries; they should not immigrate to other parts of the EU.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: APPEAL TO EMOTION
Chinese culture is very different from European culture, so we cannot hope to live in harmony with China.
DEDUCTION: CAUSAL
FALLACY: CULTURAL BIGOTRY
MEP X is a homosexual, so his policies will not be beneficial for the family.
DEDUCTION: CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: PERSONAL ATTACK
MEP Schmidt of the Conservative party is a racist, so you should never vote for a conservative.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: CONFUSING THE PART WITH THE WHOLE
Those who discriminate against sexual minorities should be discriminated against.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: POINTING TO ANOTHER WRONG
The European Parliament has passed bad legislation before, so we cannot trust it to pass new legislation.
INDUCTION
FALLACY: DEMAND FOR PERFECTION
Government borrowing and then spending that money is good for the economy because it stimulates economic activity.
DEDUCTION - CAUSAL
The Italian government is freely elected and democratic, therefore if they want to spend more money than they collect they should be able to.
DEDUCTION - CATEGORICAL
There has never been a financial crisis like this in Europe before, so there will never be another financial crisis like this one in Europe.
INDUCTION
Because there are so many intelligent economists in Europe, they will find a solution to the current economic crisis.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
FALLACY: WISHFUL THINKING
The Pirate Party believes we should ignore all copyright laws. Life would be better under them because we would pay less for songs, movies and books.
DEDUCTION - CAUSAL
Poverty caused by the economic system is the biggest crime. Therefore, crimes committed by poor people should be punished less than crimes of rich people.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: POINTING TO ANOTHER WRONG
Because we do not know who Anonymous is, we cannot trust them.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORY
FALLACY: DAMNING THE ORIGIN
When European citizens are very afraid, they often make bad political decisions.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
FALLACY: APPEAL TO EMOTION
Ethnic minorities have a lot to teach us, so their identities should be preserved.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
Europe would be better off if we became a big melting pot and were assimilated into a common European people.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
Future wars in Europe will be less likely if we have one common history book to teach all students from.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
FALLACY: WISHFUL THINKING
A system that has economic freedom will have political freedom as well.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: FALLACY OF COMPOSITION
Because corporations can use the Internet more effectively that individuals, it represents a threat to individual freedom.
DEDUCTION – HYPOTHETICAL/CAUSAL
FALLACY: SEIZING A TRIVIAL POINT
Students who can pay for a university education should pay more, those who cannot afford it should pay less.
DEDUCTION - CATEGORICAL
When the European Central Bank lowers interest rates it stimulates the economy because people can buy new houses.
DEDUCTION - CAUSAL
Rich people are smart.
DEDUCTION – CATEGORICAL
FALLACY: NON SEQUITUR
93% of police investigations are carried out legally. This is a record the police should be proud of.
INDUCTION
Europe was the winner in World War 1, World War 2 and the Cold War. Thus, Europe will win future wars as well.
INDUCTION
FACTUALLY INCORRECT
After Socialists were elected in country X, the unemployment rate went up. Socialism is obviously not the solution for unemployment.
DEDUCTION – CAUSAL
FALLACY: POST HOC FALLACY
In a study of investment bankers, 90% agreed that austerity measures were an appropriate way to reduce budget deficits.
INDUCTION
BIASED SAMPLE
Bankers who loaned money to countries who had weak financial performance should be held responsible when those countries cannot repay the loans.
DEDUCTION - CATEGORICAL
DSK, a well-known European financial executive, has been accused of sexual offenses many times but has never been convicted. This proves he was innocent all along.
INDUCTION
List compiled by Alfred C. Snider