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Frameworks of Debate and Persuasion:
Moving beyond simply taking sides
Examining the unstated and underlying assumptions
What are the unstated assumptions in each argument?
ideas about the nature of people and free will
ideas about the best relationship between the state and the individual
ideas about the responsibilities of individuals
ideas about the responsibilities of the state
What are the underlying assumptions about the nature of reality?
causality is valid
things are random and unpredictable
experience matters; the future can be extrapolated from the past
What are underlying assumptions about the nature of individual experience?
the experience of one person can apply to another
universals are knowable via specific examples; one can arrive at general conclusions
the same set of rules and social mores that apply to one person apply to others
What are underlying assumptions about human nature?
people are good and need to have freedom in order to flourish
people are inherently bad and must be controlled
Assumptions about power in society?
democratic decision-making, grassroots-up
monarchy-based ideas, top-down
totalitarian / autocratic
anarchy
What are the ways in which the arguments are being "spun" in order to influence the audience?
nature of language (language creates reality)
images / image-reality
testimonials
authenticity
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