Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook

Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook

By Jensen DG. Mañebog

Copyright 2013 Jensen DG. Mañebog

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Table of Contents

About the author

Dedication

Preface

Introduction: The Importance of Correct Reasoning

Common sense

The Significance of Studying Correct Reasoning

1. Logic, Philosophy, and Critical Thinking

1.1. Logic defined

1.2. Logic as a science and an art

1.3. A short history of Logic

1.4. Philosophy and Logic

1.5. Logic and Critical Thinking

2. Term, Proposition, and Argument

2.1. Judgment, Proposition, and Sentence

2.2. Truth and falsity

2.3. Proposition and sentence

2.4. Basic types of propositions

2.4.1. Categorical propositions

2.4.2. Hypothetical propositions

2.4.3. Modal propositions

3. Reasoning, Inference, and Argument

3.1. Argument

3.1.1. Empirical argument

3.1.2. Analytic argument

3.1.3. Evaluative argument

3.2. Mediate vs. immediate inference

4. Truth, Validity, and Soundness

5. Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

5.1. Inductive reasoning

5.2. Deductive reasoning

5.3. Induction vs. deduction

Application

6. The Rules of Inference

6.1. Modus Ponens (MP)

6.2. Modus Tollens (MT)

6.3. Hypothetical Syllogism (HS)

6.4. Disjunctive Syllogism (DS)

6.5. Conjunction (Conj.)

6.6. Simplification (Simp.)

6.7. Addition (Add.)

6.8. Absorption (Abs.)

6.9. Constructive Dilemma (CD)

6.10. Destructive Dilemma (DD)

Application

7. Toulmin’s Model of Argument

8. The Informal Fallacies

8.1. Fallacies of Relevance

Irrelevant Conclusion (Ignoratio elenchi)

Appeal to Force (Argumentum ad baculum)

Appeal to Pity (Argumentum ad misericordiam)

Appeal to Emotion

Appeal to the people (Argumentum ad populum)

Appeal to False Authority (Argumentum ad verecundiam)

Appeal to Authority (argumentum ad auctoritatem)

Argument against the person (Argumentum ad hominem)

Appeal to Ignorance (Argumentum ad ignoratiam)

8.2. Fallacies of Presumption

Accident

Converse accident

False Cause (Post hoc ergo propter hoc)

Begging the Question (Petitio principii)

Assumptio non probata

Circulus in probando

Complex question

Neglected aspect

8.3. Fallacies of Ambiguity

Equivocation

Amphiboly

Accent

Composition

Division

8.4. Miscellaneous Fallacies

Self-contradiction

False analogy

Black or white

Fallacy of significance

Quoting out of context

Straw man fallacy

Non sequitor

9. The Basics of Debate

9.1. Academic vs. Religious Debate

9.2. Fundamental elements of academic debate

9.2.1. Proposition

9.2.2. Two opposing main views or sides

9.2.3. Form or format

9.2.4. The Moderator (or Speaker of the House)

9.2.5. Time element

9.2.6. Debate Stages

Notice of Debate

Pre-Debate Conference

Debate Proper

10. The Importance of Debate and Argumentation

11. Mastering the Oxford-Oregon Debate

11.1. The format

11.2. Constructive Speech

11.3. Speakers’ roles

11.3.1. Practicability

11.3.2. Necessity

11.3.3. Beneficiality

11.4. Constructive Speech Types

11.5. Interpellation (Cross-examination)

11.5.1. Some Basic Rules on Interpellation

11.6. Rebuttal 

11.7. Debate Sequence

11.8. Duration

11.9. The Moderator

11.10. The Timer

11.11. Judging

12. Doing Well in Parliamentary Debate

12.1. The Format and Terminology

12.2. The World Schools Style Debate

12.3. WSS Debate Sequence

12.4. Roles of each speaker

12.4.1. First Speaker of the Government

12.4.2. First Speaker of the Opposition

12.4.3. Second Speakers

12.4.4. Third Speakers

12.4.5. Reply Speakers

12.5. Points of Information, Order, and Personal Privilege

12.6. POI in WSS

12.7. Heckling

13. Delivering an Impressive Debate Speech

Appendices

Debate Tournament: Framework, Mechanics, and Guidelines

Legal Basis

Academic significance

Procedures

Evaluation

Government, Community, and Other Institutions Involvement

Book Description

Other Books by the Author

About the author

Jensen De Guzman Mañebog took AB Philosophy and graduated summa cum laude from Saint Louis University. He finished his M.A. Philosophy at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and is currently a candidate in the doctoral program.

Graduated valedictorian both in elementary and high school, the author was a college debater and has been a debate professor and coach in some universities for more than a decade.

Teaching Philosophy, Debate, History, and Social Science subjects in some universities in Metro Manila for 15 years, he has published academic textbooks and written multidisciplinary lectures which are published in academic sites. Also a Professorial Lecturer in the Graduate School of a state university in Metro Manila, his various professions normally engage him in formal speaking engagements and delivering speeches.

Dedication

To my sparring partner in reasoning and debate, Bro. Joji Crisostomo, my fellow Micahns, my college debate teammates Jennifer Corpuz & Arlene Nang, Neo Louisian Philosophical Society, White and Blue, Gasera, INCinema, and P/GM

Preface

BECAUSE THINKING CORRECTLY is an integral part of who we are as human beings, the idea of helping people develop their reasoning ability involves actualizing their potentials as rational beings. This is one of the many reasons teaching ‘correct reasoning’ and debate is perpetually exciting and gratifying.

Teaching people about critical thinking and argumentation is equipping them with useful intellectual tools which also refine their viewpoint from which they view the world. As these subject matters also call for the need to evaluate and persistently reassess one’s concepts and even values, these disciplines, in effect, aptly guide people in making wise decisions in life.

Moreover, clear understanding of many things oftentimes leads to looking at the world and life itself properly. Thus, a book on reasoning and debate like this may not teach us how to make a living, but it could teach us that life is worth living.

This book was written to serve as a comprehensive introduction to correct reasoning and debate. It humbly aims to help the readers develop in thinking abilities needed for academic study and career success as it fosters intellectual and even linguistic abilities.

Some features of this book

This book possesses various features that make it an effective tool for readers (educators, students, and others):

1. logically arranged

It begins with the basic things about reasoning (terms and propositions)and then sequentially progresses to more sophisticated thinking—the critical evaluation of some arguments. Finally, the book discusses the fundamental things about debate.

2. tackles the most essential issues

The topics included here were carefully selected to compose a reference that significantly matter in correct reasoning and debate.

3. simplified, less technical, and easy-to-read

Though simplifying books in reasoning is experientially easier said than done mission, this book nonetheless endeavored for this objective as it contains attributes that make the lectures reader-friendly. Whenever appropriate, sections were written in conversational tone using the ‘you’ and ‘we’ pronouns as if talking to the readers. Furthermore, sensible and easy-to-understand examples were carefully chosen for the topics.

4. with practical applications

Many lectures in this book explicitly state either in the ‘introduction’ or ‘application’ sections the significance of the topics or how they can be intelligently used in various undertakings.

Introduction: The Importance of Correct Reasoning

THIS OPENIG LECTURE also addresses