In article <38bnaoF5mv7tbU1@individual.net>,
"Knoppix User" <knoppix2OO4@hotmail.com> wrote:
> My question is, what is the best way of debating them? My teacher thinks he
> is "cute", and allows him to debate, I will lose marks in my class if I
> remain "quite".
"Quiet".
> Students gets marks for talking/debating.
Here is a good page that talks about logical fallacies.
<http://www.datanation.com/fallacies/index.htm>
It is commonly accepted that, when someone makes an incredulous
statement and another asks them to, they are responsible for providing
supporting evidence. That is, if I say "the moon is made of cheese" and
you ask "why do you say that; what evidence do you have?", I am
obligated to substantiate my claim. If I say "anyone who does not
believe it is just brainwashed", I have committed the logical fallacy of
"attacking the person", or "argumentum ad hominem".
In addition, it is generally accepted that one can not prove a negative,
except by a counter example. Hence, if you say "no black man will ever
be a US Senator", I can say "what about Joe Lewis?" But if you say
"prove that UFOs don't exist", I cannot -- there is no proof that
something does not.
In addition, be careful with terms. "Unidentified Flying Objects" *DO*
exist! That is, there are 100s of flying objects seen every day where
the observer is unable to identify what it is -- hence, they are "UFOs",
technically. Do not get drawn into this sort of debate; make clear that
everyone understands that you are talking about "space-ships from
another planet." Then ask your debate partner to demonstrate any
credible evidence that they exist.
--
Please take off your shoes before arriving at my in-box.
I will not, no matter how "good" the deal, patronise any business which sends
unsolicited commercial e-mail or that advertises in discussion newsgroups.
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