Ten Diagnostic Questions for the Potential Ideologue

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

Pascal on Persuasion

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“Pascal was a pioneer in the psychology of persuasion. …Lead people to the answer, but let them discover it on their own. ‘People are generally better persuaded by reasons they have themselves discovered than by those from the minds of others.’” - Breakpoint

Discussion

The Value of Knowing Both Sides

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“Most debates that we observe on television consist of two people trying to outshout and demonize each other. This is because it is much easier to dismiss opposing arguments than it is to understand them.” - Eternal Perspective

Discussion