Introduction to Lincoln Douglas Debate Myers Park Tutorial

Different types of debate: what suits you? Different types of resolution: Fact, Value, Policy Resolved: Today is Monday. Resolved: US is a more important subject than world history. Resolved: NC should require 2 years of history to graduate. Formats differ: debate alone or with a partner? Topics differ: a new topic(s) every tournament, a new topic every month, every two months, one topic for the entire year? All research topic areas and develop speaking skills.

Format: Lincoln Douglas Debates issues of value Debate alone Topics last for two months Novice topic for September/October will be different starting in 2013-2014. Speech order and side are decided before the debate 4 minutes preparation time during the debate for each person.

Format 6 minute affirmative constructive-this speech BUILDS your initial case. 3 minutes of CROSS EXAMINATION - the negative gets to ask questions, the affirmative only answers. 7 minute negative constructive 3 minutes of CROSS EXAMINATION – the affirmative gets to ask questions, the negative only answers. 4 minute affirmative rebuttal- answers arguments 6 minute negative rebuttal 3 minute affirmative rebuttal

Topics September/October 2013 The varsity/open divisions will use the following topic: Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory. Novice divisions will use the following topic: Resolved: Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.

Case Structure Introductory remarks…can be a quote, statement, or simply a statement of the topic alone. Definitions to understand what the topic means. Value - Each debater will present a “framework’ for the debate. A LENS to view the arguments presented. If this is value debate, what value will be defended? How will you tell when that value has been achieved? Criteria – tells the judge the concrete measure of the value Contentions – The reasons why the judge should vote for you, why you achieve the value presented

An example Justice – a value basic to American democracy and our judicial system. How do tell when justice has been achieved? Equal rights, human rights Equality of opportunity Due process Democracy

Definitions: Civil Disobedience Civil Disobedience- a public, nonviolent, conscientious yet political act contrary to law usually done with the aim of bringing about a change in the law or policies of the government. Bedau, H.A., “On Civil Disobedience”, Journal of Philosophy, vol. 58 (1961), pp. 653-661. Civil disobedience is a form of protest in which individuals purposefully and deliberately violate a law. Protest is nonviolent and protestors are willing to accept legal penalties and punishment for their actions.

Democracy Democracy – “Literally, the term means power of the people (combining the Greek words demos, meaning “the people”, and kratien, meaning “to rule”). It is usually used to describe a political system where the legitimacy of exercising power stems from the consent of the people.” Joan Spero & Jeffrey Hart, “Democracy”, The Politics of International Economic Relations, online <http://www.indiana.edu/~ipe/glossary.html. Democracy –” Democracy 1. a way of governing a country in which the people elect representatives to form a government on their behalf, 2. a country with such a government, 3. the idea that everyone in a country has equal rights.” A Glossary of Parliamentary Words Online. <http://www.aph.gov.au/find/glossary.htm>

Moral Justification George P. Fletcher, prof Law, Columbia, “The Right & the Reasonable”, Harvard Law Review, vol. 98, 1985, p. 954-955. “Claims of justification direct our attention to the propriety of the act in the abstract: claims of excuse, to the blameworthiness of the actor in the concrete situation.” Joshua Dressler, prof. Law, Wayne State Univ, “New Thoughts About the Concept of Justification in the Criminal Law”,UCLA Law Review, vol. 32, 1984, p. 98. “Specifically, I have argued that conduct is, or ought to be, justified, without consideration of an actor’s character, whenever the conduct is morally good or tolerable, whether deontologically or teleologically based.”

How to justify an act What is right/moral depends on the consequences which result from the action CONSEQUENTIALIST MORAL REASONING -locates morality in the result -Bentham & JSM 2. Reasons from the intrinsic quality of the act itself CATEGORICAL MORAL REASONING -locates morality in certain absolutes -Kant & Rawls

Where to find evidence Google scholar Books – authors today Prepared materials http://www.stlukesct.org/ftpimages/96/download/Debate% 20jimmenick.pdf Today’s packet to start Demonstration debate