Lincoln-Douglas Debate Chapter 26

Historical Perspective Abraham Lincoln debated Stephen Douglas Abraham Lincoln debated Stephen Douglas On such issues as slavery and states rights On such issues as slavery and states rights These debates are value based These debates are value based For example: Resolved: that slavery in the south is morally wrong. For example: Resolved: that slavery in the south is morally wrong.

Background Research-Same Define terms Define terms Define problem/controversy Define problem/controversy Questioning Questioning Develop arguments (prepare case) Develop arguments (prepare case) Gather evidence Gather evidence Rebuttals Rebuttals Delivery-more important in this debate style Delivery-more important in this debate style

Evidence Should focus on evidence that supports your philosophical values Should focus on evidence that supports your philosophical values Focus less on “how much evidence supports” and more on “how you support your values” with the evidence and logic Focus less on “how much evidence supports” and more on “how you support your values” with the evidence and logic

Values “the preference placed upon an action, object, idea, or person based on individual or social worth” “the preference placed upon an action, object, idea, or person based on individual or social worth” Values are neither right or wrong Values are neither right or wrong Description of what is preferable or ideal Description of what is preferable or ideal We all have a set of values that contain: social, political, religious influences We all have a set of values that contain: social, political, religious influences Conflicts occur with others because of values Conflicts occur with others because of values

Category of Values Moral-judgments of good/bad, right/wrong Moral-judgments of good/bad, right/wrong Artistic- what is beautiful or ugly, pleasing/displeasing Artistic- what is beautiful or ugly, pleasing/displeasing Pragmatic-what is practical or efficient Pragmatic-what is practical or efficient Political-democracy, justice, and rights Political-democracy, justice, and rights

Values Terminal-your core values that deal with peace, freedom, salvation, accomplishments Terminal-your core values that deal with peace, freedom, salvation, accomplishments Instrumental-help achieve core values Instrumental-help achieve core values Example: Peace can be achieved through courage and self-control. Example: Peace can be achieved through courage and self-control. Values are arranged in the order of importance to you Values are arranged in the order of importance to you

Values Common debated values are: achievement, democracy, Common debated values are: achievement, democracy, equality, freedom, justice, liberty, privacy, progress, pursuit of happiness, and security.

Values They are preferences for how the world ought to be. They are preferences for how the world ought to be. Context influences our value system. (the environment we are operating in) Context influences our value system. (the environment we are operating in) Values are universal (basic needs and motivations the same) Values are universal (basic needs and motivations the same) Individuals act upon their values-by voting, treatment of others, etc. Individuals act upon their values-by voting, treatment of others, etc.

Wording of Value Proposition Use “should” or “ought” in the proposition. Use “should” or “ought” in the proposition. The ideal will be supported by the affirmative. The ideal will be supported by the affirmative. The negative will counter this “ideal” with a different world view or “ideal.” The negative will counter this “ideal” with a different world view or “ideal.”

Policy versus Value No affirmative plan No affirmative plan No stock issues No stock issues Base your debate on differing definitions, real-world models, premises, criteria, and refutation of opponent’s analysis Base your debate on differing definitions, real-world models, premises, criteria, and refutation of opponent’s analysis

Two types of L-D Debates Philosophical-comparison of two “core” values Philosophical-comparison of two “core” valuesExample: Resolved: Liberty is more precious than law.

Two types of L-D Debates This second type of debate topic asks for the resolution of judgmental declarations or statements of fact. This second type of debate topic asks for the resolution of judgmental declarations or statements of fact.Example: In a democratic society, felons ought to retain the right to vote. In a democratic society, felons ought to retain the right to vote.

Format of Debate Two people Two people Affirmative has one more speech than the negative Affirmative has one more speech than the negative Each speaker get gets equal time though Each speaker get gets equal time though

Format of Debate Affirm construct – 6 minutes (Scripted speech- try to memorize) Affirm construct – 6 minutes (Scripted speech- try to memorize) Cross-exam by neg- 3 minutes Cross-exam by neg- 3 minutes Negative Construct- 7 minutes (scripted speech plus some rebuttal) Negative Construct- 7 minutes (scripted speech plus some rebuttal) Cross-exam by affirm- 3 minutes Cross-exam by affirm- 3 minutes Break 5 minutes Break 5 minutes

Format of Debate Affirmative rebuttal – 4 minutes Affirmative rebuttal – 4 minutes Negative rebuttal – 6 minutes (plus summary of arguments Negative rebuttal – 6 minutes (plus summary of arguments Affirm rebuttal – 3 minutes (plus summary and end with a “bang”) Affirm rebuttal – 3 minutes (plus summary and end with a “bang”)

To Prepare for Debate List values that relate to the proposition List values that relate to the proposition Write the strengths and weakness of each value in terms of defending or opposing the proposition Write the strengths and weakness of each value in terms of defending or opposing the proposition

To Prepare for Debate-Choose Model Develop a model-What is this? Develop a model-What is this? A way of looking at the world! A way of looking at the world! Any issues that deal with laws in the constitution should use the constitution as his or her model, etc. Any issues that deal with laws in the constitution should use the constitution as his or her model, etc.

To Prepare for Debate-Choose Your Criteria Ask the question: Why is this value good? Ask the question: Why is this value good? 1. Constitutionality 2. Anteriority (supersedes/priority over all) 3. Cost-Benefit Analysis 4. Ends-Means Analysis 5. Exigence and Salience (most urgent/threatened) 6. Freedom/Liberty Maximization

To Prepare for Debate-Choose Your Criteria 7. Futurism (Benefits) 8. Hypothesis Testing (scientifically be proven) 9. Maslow’s Hierarchy (self-actualization) 10. Normative Standard (moral to all in all situations) 11. Social Values (benefits) 12. Universality (accepted by all rational people) 13. Utilitarianism (most utilized/welfare of all) 14. Value Maximization (most of value wins)

Big Three Value Comparison-you compare values that you are defending with your partner- Why are your values better than your partners? Value Comparison-you compare values that you are defending with your partner- Why are your values better than your partners? Value Criteria-defend these versus your partners criteria selected Value Criteria-defend these versus your partners criteria selected Value Application-How does this relate to what is going on in the our political, religious, or social system? Value Application-How does this relate to what is going on in the our political, religious, or social system?