Debate + Argument Formulation Tips

• Keep asking why - ask the why behind the answer to another why question
• Use curiosity to your advantage
• Question intuition of asking questions because not all questions are the same (resulting in a false equivalency fallacy)
• For example, a cop can ask you to search your can and if you say no and they ask why not it's like like you have anything to hide, you can say, according to human motivation factors, there is no reason to show you and put effort into it - you can ask where this intuition comes from and what goal answering this question will accomplish.
• This is where the usefulness of measuring effort comes into play. If there is a lack of a reason to do so as such, humans will not do it. Similarly: why would we get up and change the tv with our bare hands pressing the button on the tv when we have a remote? Is there a specific reason to use the button as opposed to the remote?
• This is because not all curiosity is the same or equal, those who ask why not or Christians who claim moral curiosity fail to recognize the false equivalence it has to scientific explanations.
• Religion serves as temporary explanations (theories) until better explanations can come across
• Keep in mind of the nature of human behavior when answering these questions - being in a certain mood can hinder results (this is why scientists are unbiased and one with nature when studying)
• Another good example is a Christian asking why can't you be moral attempting to stop scientific curiosity, we should ask where this intuition comes from, we can explain our side given the nature of human behavior is to be curious as that is what humans have been practically doing for hundreds of years and has worked.
• Everything you do is the nature of human behavior, therefore everything is justified.
• Asking why not is a good indicator the person does not understand the basics of human motivation covered by a psychology class, not a biblical class you free will believers
• Human beings have an curiosity intuition that of which questions are formulated and pursued.
• Ask opponent to clearly state the criteria for classification
• What criteria is being applied to classify it as such?
• Ask opponent to define their terms before engaging in conversation
• For example, if opponent uses the word "torture" with a different definition than you - that effectively means you two are debating a completely different premise, that can render problems. not to mention, torture is an ideal classification not a physical classification.
• Not to mention, something can be justified torture, whereas someone can think torture is never justified.
• Retribution or rehabilitative justice?
• Objectively see it as a thought process rather than a feeling or criteria classification, words can be confuzing when identified as it takes a certain prerequisite mood to identify an opinion as such
• The most clear way to say this is what is your opinion on breakfast food during the AM vs the PM, people will realize that opinions are moods that change.
• Literally ask them to map out their thoughts
• Morality describes behavior and is a set of goals based on trust.
• What makes grass innocence more valuable than human innocence?
• I can tell you why - it's based on practical value as opposed to moral dogma- you have to ask yourself, what makes morality possible, it's practicalism.
• See opponents actions as human behavior to be studied instead of ideas.
• There is practical reason behind everything
• All ideas derive from the symbolism created as human beings existing in the physical realm
• Ask them to describe the criteria for classification
• Effectively meaning them same thing as asking for a definition.
• Think of mental actions similar to physical actions
• Hint: this is where the term mental gymnastics comes into play
• When the other side says you're just emotional, remind them of justified emotions and unjustified emotions
• Also, remember that being calm itself in and of itself is an emotion too.
• This is why violence is silence was created - to share the fact that we are so desensitized to violence.