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Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling
Paul
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Posted 07/18/04 - 02:00 PM:

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#76
tgwnn wrote:
Is there a winner in a debate? If so, how is he decided? It there is none, where's the fun of it? raised eyebrow


That's up to you to decide if you want your debate to be judged, and how -- specify that. (Poll thread is the easiest way.)

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Posted 07/27/04 - 06:20 PM:
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#77
I thought of a couple things I'd like to see debated, so here they are:

Philosophy of Politics and Law
•Whether it is best for a government to have inflation or deflation.
•Whether it is ever justified to break international law in a war.

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Posted 08/03/04 - 10:37 AM:
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#78
ThusSpokeZarathustra wrote:
Is anyone else gonna join in on the "democarcy" topic, or is it just gonna have to be a repeat of TSZ v. Soc?


I'm in, either side provided we can get this going before september.
Socrastein
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Posted 08/03/04 - 04:41 PM:
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#79
If we can get one more person, I'd be for a 2v2. Dibs on Jay grin

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Posted 08/04/04 - 02:46 PM:
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#80
ThusSpokeZarathustra wrote:
Anyone want to debate the existence of a supreme being, or something along those lines?


I'm a non believer but I'll have a go at arguing the existence of god smiling face
Robert
Guy who thinks that would be an interesting way on evaluatingmy own beliefs
Poor Yorick
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Posted 08/04/04 - 03:02 PM:
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#81
"debating the existence of a supreme being" has been done in Debate 2 smiling face

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Posted 08/04/04 - 05:23 PM:
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#82
Indeed Yorick, but it was said that the topic could be revisited if sufficient time had passed from the first. I, personally, think that more than enough time has passed.

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Posted 08/04/04 - 07:28 PM:
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#83
roobarb wrote:
I'm a non believer but I'll have a go at arguing the existence of god smiling face
Robert
Guy who thinks that would be an interesting way on evaluatingmy own beliefs


Shall we make it a group debate? Perhaps Jay and Soc will join, if not would you be willing to debate democracy?
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Posted 08/05/04 - 12:25 AM:
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#84
I'll group up for the god debate, or if Roob wants to join in the democracy one that would be great too. I think they would both be very enjoyable debates either way.

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Posted 08/05/04 - 11:14 AM:
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#85
Alright I'll give it a go, but I'm not sure such a debate will be entertaining due to the nature of the question.
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Posted 08/05/04 - 02:28 PM:
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#86
Jay wrote:
Alright I'll give it a go, but I'm not sure such a debate will be entertaining due to the nature of the question.


I'd prefer to group debate with you three. I'd find it hard to argue outside of my belief in a democracy debate. smiling face
What are the guidelines for a group debate?
Robert
Guy who thinks it will be entertaining watching me try and argue from the opposite side. nod So don't expect too many great insights shaking head
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Posted 08/05/04 - 03:51 PM:
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Robert, do you want to do the democracy or the theism debate?

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Posted 08/05/04 - 06:32 PM:
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#88
Socrastein wrote:
Robert, do you want to do the democracy or the theism debate?


Whoops, I thought you meant democracy as in a free for all debate style... confused
I'd prefer the theism debate and argue for theism but if everyone wants to have a go at democracy i'll debate either way.
Robert
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Posted 08/07/04 - 04:42 AM:
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#89
After thinking about it some more, I don't think it would be wise to do the theism debate. I really just don't think it makes for good discussion. I've never heard a solid argument for theism (I'm not denying they exist, I've just yet to come across one) and to me the issue in its nature just seems weighted on the side of atheism. However, democracy has many powerful arguments for both sides and makes for excellent debate, again in my opinion. I could see myself competently arguing either side of the issue, but I cannot say the same for theism.

As such, I say we do democracy. So as not to delay for another few days, I'll also propose that it be Jay and I vs. Roobarb and TSZ. Further, let me be so bold as to venture forth the suggestion that Jay and I argue that democracy is ideal, and you and TSZ can argue the opposing side. I only propose so much for the sake of progress. Days could pass waiting for the formation of teams, and more days waiting for the formation of who will take which side - I do not want to wait forever for this debate, as it has already taken to long.

If I am being too bold, forgive me. I am simply anxious to get something going and do not want to waste precious time meandering over petty details. Unless anyone has any strong objections, I say we agree to that which I have proposed for the sake of speed and ease. Let me hear what you think Jay, Roobarb, and TSZ. If nobody has a problem with the details I've proposed, then post your consent and we will get some of the more important details worked out privately with Interlocutor.

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Posted 08/10/04 - 06:39 PM:
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#90
Socrastein wrote:
After thinking about it some more, I don't think it would be wise to do the theism debate. I really just don't think it makes for good discussion. I've never heard a solid argument for theism (I'm not denying they exist, I've just yet to come across one) and to me the issue in its nature just seems weighted on the side of atheism. However, democracy has many powerful arguments for both sides and makes for excellent debate, again in my opinion. I could see myself competently arguing either side of the issue, but I cannot say the same for theism.

As such, I say we do democracy. So as not to delay for another few days, I'll also propose that it be Jay and I vs. Roobarb and TSZ. Further, let me be so bold as to venture forth the suggestion that Jay and I argue that democracy is ideal, and you and TSZ can argue the opposing side. I only propose so much for the sake of progress. Days could pass waiting for the formation of teams, and more days waiting for the formation of who will take which side - I do not want to wait forever for this debate, as it has already taken to long.

If I am being too bold, forgive me. I am simply anxious to get something going and do not want to waste precious time meandering over petty details. Unless anyone has any strong objections, I say we agree to that which I have proposed for the sake of speed and ease. Let me hear what you think Jay, Roobarb, and TSZ. If nobody has a problem with the details I've proposed, then post your consent and we will get some of the more important details worked out privately with Interlocutor.


Agreed!
Robert
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ThusSpokeZarathustra
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Posted 08/10/04 - 07:03 PM:
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#91
I'm good to go.....What's the exact phrasing of the debate?

"Democracy is the most practical form of government"?
"ideal form"?
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Posted 08/10/04 - 07:15 PM:
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#92
Ideal I would say, as in best of available options - which is pretty much the most practical anyway. Either way, i think we know what we'll be getting at.

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Posted 08/10/04 - 07:48 PM:
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#93
Jay, Roobarb, you guys have a preference?
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Posted 08/10/04 - 08:42 PM:
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#94
ThusSpokeZarathustra wrote:
Jay, Roobarb, you guys have a preference?


I prefer ideal. Ideal and most practical are not the same in my view.
So what are the guidelines for debating?
Robert
Guy who will have to study a bit about democracy, but is looking forward to the debate nevertheless
Jay
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Posted 08/10/04 - 10:05 PM:
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#95
ThusSpokeZarathustra wrote:
Jay, Roobarb, you guys have a preference?


Either way is fine with me. Let's just get this show on the road.
EcceQuiTollisPeccataMundi
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Posted 08/10/04 - 10:42 PM:
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#96
How abouts' "If Naturalistic Philosopher's accept Kant's Analytic/Synthetic distinction, why should those Philosophers not be labeled as "Phenomenalists"'? I think that N Philosophers should accept Phenomenalism as a label...

Or, "Is Synthetic A priori knowledge a possible possibility"?

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Socrastein
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Posted 08/11/04 - 01:11 AM:
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Well I believe that interlocutor is supposed to get back today, so if he sees this maybe he can meet us in chat and we can discuss the details of the group debate? I only suggest chat because it seems more practical than 5 people all trying to converse through private messages confused

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Posted 08/11/04 - 02:46 PM:
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#98
Socrastein wrote:
Well I believe that interlocutor is supposed to get back today, so if he sees this maybe he can meet us in chat and we can discuss the details of the group debate? I only suggest chat because it seems more practical than 5 people all trying to converse through private messages confused


Unfortunately my computer at school doesn't like some flash applications and the forums chat is one of those it doesn't like!
Robert
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Socrastein
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Posted 08/11/04 - 04:49 PM:
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#99
Well, I guess we'll have to PM it. Just as soon as I one of us hears from Interlocutor.

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Posted 08/11/04 - 06:17 PM:
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#100
Socrastein wrote:
Well, I guess we'll have to PM it. Just as soon as I one of us hears from Interlocutor.


Well if the three of you decide something in chat, I'm happy to go in with whatever is decided.
Robert
Guy who is thinking about democracy already
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