Take a Position, Not a Side: Towards a Healthier Civic Discourse

Body

“Sides are intellectually easy and emotionally satisfying. Positions are intellectually challenging and emotionally complex. Once you know which side you’re on—in the culture war, or the political war—you can let your friends, or your podcasts, do your thinking for you.” - Persuasion

Discussion

Ten Diagnostic Questions for the Potential Ideologue

Body

“1. Do you present opposing viewpoints in ways that your opponent would agree with?… 2. Do you resort to personal attacks…3. Are you able to assume the best about someone else’s approach even if you disagree with their conclusions?” - 9 Marks

Discussion

Why We Shouldn’t Ban the Teaching of Bad Ideas

Body

“Tennessee lawmakers have introduced a list of ‘divisive concepts,’ which, under a law passed last year, are prohibited from being taught on college campuses. …Especially at the college level, we need more discussion and serious debate of ideas, not less.” - Breakpoint

Discussion

Weaker Assertion → Stronger Argument

Body

“If ordinary humility challenges us to take a reasonable and balanced view of who or what we are, epistemic humility asks us to do the same with respect to what we know. This is important since no good comes from overstating the evidence.” - TGC

Discussion

True Liberty Demands Respectful Disagreement

Body

“Persons who believe that the truth is so easily discovered often react with moral revulsion against conservatives and reactionaries who disagree with them. Since truth is so intellectually clear, [they reason,] those who do not see it must be persons of bad will. Daily experience teaches that this is not so.” - Acton

Discussion

The Art of Debate as the Road to Healing

Body

“Overall, Voth’s book is a helpful contribution to both the field of communications and the debate community. He explores a theoretical concept and applies it to the world practically and clearly.” - Acton

Discussion