Transcript of Debate Philosophy. The study of human behavior. Psychologists look at people’s emotions and mind...
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- Debate Philosophy
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- The study of human behavior. Psychologists look at peoples
emotions and mind to understand what motivates them.
Psychology
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- A psychologist might have evidence that shows people feel safer
in cities with the death penalty. Example
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- The study of morality and values. Philosophers discuss the
difference between right and wrong actions to guide people in their
decisions. Philosophy
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- A philosopher might argue that the death penalty is wrong
because nobody should decide who lives or dies. Example
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- Psychology: Discusses how things are or the real world. It
describes what is. Philosophy: Discusses how things should be or
the ideal world. It prescribes how things ought to be. What is the
difference?
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- A mistake in logic that happens when a person jumps from a
statement of fact (an is sentence) to a statement of value (an
ought or should sentence). Remember you cant jump from description
to evaluation/judgment without a middle step! Facts give us
information but cant tell us what we should do without a value
entering into the argument. Is-Ought Gap
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- Fact/Is statement: Research shows that students who wear
uniforms do better in school. Value/Ought statement: Therefore,
students should wear uniforms. Problem: What if I dont care about
doing well in school? The conclusion assumes a value that hasnt
been logically supported. You must show the middle step in your
thinking to have a strong argument. Dont assume values (even good
ones like education) are obvious! Example
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- 1. What is the hidden value in my conclusion? 2. How do I
explain the importance of that value? (Some common values are
listed in your LD packet) Ask Yourself:
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- Research shows that students who wear uniforms do better in
school. We should want our students to get the best education
possible because they will be responsible for solving societys
problems in the future. This makes their education important to the
worlds progress. Therefore, students should wear uniforms.
Improving the Argument
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- Maslows Hierarchy morality Self Actualization/ creativity,
Highest Potential individuality Self Esteem confidence, respect
Belonging friendship, family, intimacy Safety/Security resources,
property, health Survival Basic needs: air, food, water, sleep
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- Maslow states that people must feel secure to achieve their
highest potential. Therefore, we must always prioritize our
security over our relationships. What is the problem with this
logic? Application
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- Complete the example at your table. You have 5 minutes. Lets
Practice!
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- Lincoln-Douglas Debate argues about values or how things ought
to be. An LD debater concerns himself/herself with two things: 1.
How should people behave? Or, what makes a person good/moral? 2.
How should government and society behave? Or, what makes our social
institutions good/legitimate? So, what does all this have to do
with debate?
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- Philosophical Theories on Ethics/Morality How should people
behave? What makes a person good/moral?
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- To make the right decision a person should do the greatest good
for the greatest number of people. Focus is on the ends or the
results of an action. Utilitarianism
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- To make the right decision a person should follow certain moral
rules or duties when taking an action. Focus is on the means or the
process used to achieve a result. A deontologist would say: The
ends dont justify the means. Deontology
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- Kant says we follow two steps to determine our duty: A. Act
only on a maxim that you can will to be a universal law. B. Never
treat people as a mere means. Treat people as ends in themselves.
How do deontologists come up with the rules to follow?
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- A. Act only on a maxim that you can will to be a universal law:
A maxim is a rule. To will something means to express your choice.
A universal law is an obligation that applies to everybody.
Restated: People should only take actions that they would as a rule
choose everybody to take in the same situation. Ask yourself: Would
you want others to do what you are doing? What is Kant talking
about?
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- B. Never treat people as a mere means. Treat people as ends in
themselves. To treat people as means would be to use them as a way
to get what you want. To treat people as ends would be to respect
them as individuals who have their own goals and desires. A person
is valuable because he/she is human, not because of what he/she can
do for you. Restated: People should not take actions that use
others to achieve an outcome. We should always value others for
their humanity not because of their usefulness. Ask yourself: Am I
using somebody to achieve my goal? What is Kant talking about?
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- People do services for us every day. Waiters serve us food at a
restaurants, and sales clerks help us at stores. Is it wrong to use
these people? Remember Kant says it is only wrong if a person is
treated as a mere means. This context is SUPER important. This one
word is the difference between having a job and being a slave! What
about this word mere?
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- What is the difference between being a waiter and being a
slave? Discussion
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- They benefit from the interaction. They are included in the end
benefits. (We pay waiters and not slaves.) They have consented to
the interaction. It is their choice. (Waiters apply for their jobs
and can quit. Slaves are forced to work against their will.) A
person is NOT a MERE means if
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- We treat them no better than an object to get what we want. If
an action would reduce a human being to only being a tool for
somebody elses goals, a deontologist would say that action is
wrong. A person is a MERE means if
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- Work on the moral dilemmas in your notes packet as a group at
your table. Answer the questions for each of the three situations.
Finish whatever you dont complete in class as homework. Group
Practice/Homework
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- Situation 1: A very poor mother with 5 children decides to
steal some food from the grocery store to feed her starving family.
She has been looking for a job but nobody will hire her. She is
desperate, and this is the only way she thinks she can get food.
Review!
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- Situation 2: Research has proven that when a society uses the
death penalty, it is a deterrent to crime. (Remember a deterrent is
something that discourages a person from taking an action. For
example: At East End, detention is used as a deterrent to keep
students from chewing gum.) Review!
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- Situation 3: Research has shown that a pregnant teenage girl
who has an abortion is more likely to go to college, get a good
job, and make more money when she grows up. Review!
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- Complete exit ticket on the military draft. Work quietly and by
yourself. Independent Practice/Homework
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- Military Draft answers What seems to be the problems with each
philosophy? Discussion
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- Problems with these ideas: UtilitarianismDeontology Can be used
to justify horrible actions that offend people (Examples: AIDS and
organ donation) Treats people as numbers to be added (no different
than pencils or shoes) and not individuals with unique worth.
Following rules for the sake of rules can be very harmful to a lot
of people. Contradictory to follow system that would harm people to
show people are valuable. What happens if rules conflict? (Example:
hiding Jews from Nazis)
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- Philosophical Theories on Government/Society How should our
leaders and communities behave? What makes our social institutions
good/legitimate?
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- Why do we have a government? Discussion
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- What is a contract? Discussion
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- An agreement where people give up some freedom for the purpose
of creating and maintaining social order. Citizens: agree to follow
laws in exchange for protection. A government gets its authority
from their consent. Government: agrees to provide protection and is
considered legitimate when it lives up to its end of the bargain.
The Social Contract
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- Key ConceptsDefinitions State of nature World before
governments were created. A place of total freedom, but also wild,
lawless, and chaotic.
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- Key ConceptsDefinitions State of nature World before
governments were created. A place of total freedom, but also wild,
lawless, and chaotic. Natural rights Rights you have at birth
because you are human. Life, liberty, and property (Locke).
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- Key ConceptsDefinitions State of nature World before
governments were created. A place of total freedom, but also wild,
lawless, and chaotic. Natural rights Rights you have at birth
because you are human. Life, liberty, and property (Locke).
Monopoly on force Complete control over use of violence. People
give this monopoly to the government for their protection under the
social contract. When government breaks its contract this power
returns to the people, who have the right to create a new
system.
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- Is the social contract an actual document? How come Ive never
signed it? Discussion:
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- Work in groups at your tables. Application
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- The government should only prevent/stop harm. Anything else
risks abuse of power. People should be free to live their lives
anyway they want as long as they dont harm others. A legitimate
government only protects negative rights. It does not provide
positive rights. Harms Principle
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- If a governments only job is to prevent harm, what institutions
or services would be included in the society? What government
institutions or services would not be provided? Discussion
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- Gov. exercises the least amount of power as possible. Gov. only
provides: police, military, courts, and prisons Minimal State
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- Your rights of non-interference. These rights require others to
leave you alone. Examples: Right to safety, freedom of religion
Negative Rights
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- Rights to have benefits provided to you. Much more
controversial because obligate others to help you. Examples: Right
to education or health care Positive Rights
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- Is education a right? Is health care a right? Discussion
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- Paternalism is when the gov. acts like your parent (does things
for your own good). Harms principle tries to avoid this situation
because it limits freedom & might lead to tyranny (abuse of
power). Paternalism
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- Some people argue laws against drug use are paternalistic. What
do you think? Example
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- My rights end where your nose begins. but no sooner. A Harms
Principle philosopher would say
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- This concept shows the acceptable limits on a persons freedom.
It means that we should have the ability to pursue our lifes
projects or desires up until the point that our actions would harm
another person. (Keep in mind that this harm doesnt have to be
violent. It can be any harm that stops another person from living
his/her life as he/she chooses.) Importance of my nose
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- Work in groups at your tables. Application