Shumway's Debate

In the world today, information is so readily available an educated populous must adapt to become more skeptical. Learning this skepticism goes hand-in-hand with understanding arguments; as well as fallacies. Mrs. Shumway’s debate class has introduced these very important skills to me. Debate has taught me the most important skill is the understanding and ability to form a logical argument.
Four years ago, freshman year, my knowledge of argument was immensely limited. Any dispute of which the opposition could talk enough about I would consider truthful. This particularly gullible mindset could have set me exceedingly far back behind my peers. I was very much aware of this weakness throughout my experiences. Disputes with my peers, and in some cases my parents, brought light to this weakness as I realized I was so oblivious to logical flow as I could not form an argument if my life depended on it. Fortunately, I held a great curiosity toward rhetoric and logic. Grasping logic along with its fallacies was, I thought, the way to understanding the the reality, and the formation of a contention was the best way to express myself. This was my motivation to become a member of the debate team. Discussion and argument existed further back in history than records can show. …show more content…
The Golden ages of civilizations arise during the period of the most intellectual discussion. Innovation and philosophy thrive in an environment where ideas can clash. A demonstration of open discussion advancing knowledge can be shown in Greece. Numerous great philosophers existed during the highest point of Greek Civilization. Aristotle, democritus, and leucippus can be credited for developing the first concept of the atom; nearly 2000 years prior to the first discovery of atoms (“The History of the Atom). The only way these ideas could be passed is through argument and discussion. Science and its methods are based on discourse. Arguing and testing evidence, along with allowing discussion, is what leads to all the known theories we know today. As my science teacher Mr. Munger explains, “[arguing] Gets people thinking, and research going”. The U.S. Justice System is based on an adversarial system, whereas each side consists of an attorney. This system allows for a prosecution and a defense to argue the evidence in front of a judge or jury of peers. It is only this system that guarantees the rights of the accused and a litigation of the presented evidence. In contrast, the United Kingdom possesses an inquisitive system, where three judges ask the accused questions to determine the truth. This system does not provide rights, such as the right to remain silent, and does not allow for opposition and discussion. “Innocent until proven guilty” is a common law inherited from jurisprudence; however …show more content…
Being able to argue and express ideas is so valuable in our society that freedom of speech is guaranteed in the Constitution. Sadly, nations, such as China, do not allow discussion - especially of power. The Chinese government will not tolerate any question of its power. “Police in China can do whatever they want; after 81 days in arbitrary detention you clearly realise that they don't have to obey their own laws. In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want - not only you, your whole family and all people like you.”