Tools of Apologetics 1.18.1
Debating Techniques
An Analysis Of The Standard Techniques
by Dr. Johnson C. Philip and Dr. Saneesh Cherian
Chapter -1
Analysis Of Debating Techniques - I
Debating is one method of bringing out truth. Many subjects have more than one aspect, each one of them claiming to be true. Similarly, many schools of thought might exist about a complex subject. In all such matters an open debate is one method to establish the truth. Trials in Courts are a special form of debate. While ordinary debates are not often controlled by any rules except common courtesy, the debates that take place in a Court Of Law are regulated by certain strict rules and codes of conduct. Further, while the public (mob mentality) might be the subjective arbiter in a common debate, a highly learned and objective judge is the arbiter in a Court Of Law. Members of the public might side with the erring party because of their bias, subjectivity, mob mentality, or even plain selfishness. However, Judges are expected to be above all these considerations.
Unfortunately, common debates cannot take place in a Court Of Law. Nor can such debates avail of the services of a learned Judge, or of the regulated atmosphere of a Court Of Law. Thus debating and winning in a public debate becomes very difficult. Often truth becomes a casualty and crafty parties win even if they are liars. Yet there is no way for a Christian Apologist to avoid debates altogether. The best strategy for apologists in such a situation is to understand the tricks that dishonest debaters use. They can then spot these dishonest tricks and attempt to counter and expose them. They can also learn to avoid those situations in which no amount of debating would be profitable. For a better understanding of this subject we discuss this subject under the following headings in this and the following chapters:
1-The Existence Of Tricks And The Reasons
2-Multiple Meanings And Dishonest Tricks
3-Debaters’ Tricks
4-Anatomy Of A Twisted Argument Analyzing Debates
6-How To Counter Twisted Arguments
7-Precautions
We discuss each point in detail in the chapters that follow.
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