Debate 1 Topic Poll: Philosophy Forums

What shall be the topic for our first debate?
Whether objects exist in and of themselves.	7	18%
Whether morality is absolute.	7	18%
Whether democracy is the ideal form of government.	15	39%
Whether mandatory military service is worthwhile.	4	11%
Whether [I]a priori[/I] knowledge is possible.	5	13%
38 votes

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Debate 1 Topic Poll

Interlocutor
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Posted 04/13/04 - 03:18 PM:	#1
The first debate topic will be chosen by popular demand. I need two willing participants for it as well. If you want to debate a particular one of the posted issues, feel free to send me a private message. If you're not particular, and just want to debate, that's good too. Let me know. When I think there are enough votes and have two willing participants, the debate can begin. I am hopeful that I won't have to wait more than a day.

Interlocutor
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Posted 04/14/04 - 09:40 PM:	#2
The poll is now closed. "Whether democracy is the ideal form of government" is the clear choice of the people. Since ashingular asked first, I'm giving the "nay" side to him. Who will argue against him?

Distortion
Oh yeah?

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Posted 04/14/04 - 10:57 PM:	#3
If you changed 'ideal' to 'best realistically possible' I might consider arguing against him. But I'm already scheduled, I guess? Heh..
Make your own rules.

ashingular
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Posted 04/14/04 - 11:33 PM:	#4
Distortion - as I was saying to Interlocutor - I also consider "ideal" pretty undefensible (which is why I picked the nay side ) but "best possible" is more arguable IMHO.

Paul
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Posted 04/15/04 - 12:18 AM:	#5
It also depends on how you mean to use the word "democratic." Democratic as in Athenian, or democratic as in people voting for representitives in a republican style government. Or are those definitions left to the debaters to argue?

FtheNaysayers
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Posted 04/15/04 - 12:42 PM:	#6
I say we use the US system of government for demockracy.

RandomPrecision
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Posted 04/15/04 - 12:56 PM:	#7
I think the definition of democracy might be best left to whoever is arguing for it being ideal. The poll just said "democracy", and to select someone to argue in its favor, and specify to them which form of democracy they are arguing for seems a bit in ashingular's favor. If someone really wants to argue for democracy being the ideal form of government, they should probably go, but I would argue for it if that side needs a debater.

Interlocutor
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Posted 04/15/04 - 01:03 PM:	#8
"Ideal" here does mean "best possible." And by "democracy" I mean the form of government in which supreme power of rulership is derived directly from the consent of the ruled. Whether that democracy takes the representative or is a more direct form is irrelevant. If the two debaters choose to define it differently and can agree on one definition for the purpose of the debate, I have no problem with that. Otherwise, I think mine or one approximating mine should suffice.

Jay
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Posted 04/15/04 - 07:05 PM:	#9
When's the first debate going to start? And were there many volunteers? I suppose people are shy to go first...

Distortion
Oh yeah?

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Posted 04/15/04 - 07:47 PM:	#10
Interlocutor, defs. are critical to a debate - frequently in a good debate things will come down to sheer semantics I have found. If the accepted defn. can be Democracy is the best realistically (utopian governments that don't consider real humans and real human nature aside...) possible government, then once again, I will happily take the other side of the debate.
Make your own rules.

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