Motions of fact

1.

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2.

MOTIONS OF FACT
Something is or is not true. The motion calls for a factual
interpretation. It is the most basic and straightforward sort of
motion. Very much like a court decision – guilty or not guilty, a
factual determination. The crime was or was not committed is a
factual determination.
Examples:
THBT advertising does more harm than good for society
THBT that China and the USA will be allies in the 21st Century
Weigh the facts. Do not be distracted by the “harm” and “good”
in the motion. The advertising motion is asking you to look at all
the harms and goods in this instance and then decide which one
predominates. This motion is very much like a civil court case.
The China motion is set to determine a fact, but it is a future
fact. This is still quite legitimate to do within a factual
framework.

3.

MOTIONS OF VALUE
Something is or is not of inherent value.
THBT Shakespeare is the world’s greatest writer.
Locate the value term and then define it to
determine how to win the debate. “Greatest writer”
is.. You develop a list of criteria, and when you meet
them you have proven it. Name some criteria you
would use to prove this motion. Which ones are the
more reasonable?

4.

MOTIONS OF POLICY
Something should be done. Action – government,
international, individual. THW legalize prostitution.
Build the model anticipating the opposition arguments.
For example, unless you say prostitutes must be of age
you are advocating child prostitution. Must show that
the model addresses a problem and reduces it. Some
detail, but not too much. Judges dislike models that
have too much self-serving detail

5.

Types of motions
Burden of proof
Government
Opposition
Policy:
TH…
TH will prohibit pornography
TH will introduce a quota on carbon dioxide
emission
1.
2.
3.
Mechanism
Unique benefits
Moral
obligation/legitimacy
1.
2.
3.
Unique harm
Moral unacceptability
More effective alternatives
First person:
TH as…
Th as a feminist movement…
TH as Pope Frances
TH as China/US/Russia/EU....
1.
2.
3.
4.
Criteria
Common values or
Stake holders’ values
Reasons how specified
actions help in achieving
the goal or
implement/execute
these values
1.
2.
Can argue with the criteria or
Agree and give your reasons for
another point of view
More effective alternatives
Value/moral judgement:
THBT/ regrets/supports...
THR the mass replacement of manual labor
with machines
TH prefers a world, where Islam is formed
around a centralized establishment of power
1.
Criteria of judgment (if
there’s no clear criteria
lean on common liberal
democratic values)
Reasons for the
judgment
1.
2.
2.
3.
Disagree with the criteria or
Agree and give your reasons for
another point of view

6.

ANALITICS
• Try to think which
words are
important in the
motion
(circle/underline)
• Stake holders
analysis
MAIN QUESTIONS
What’s your burden
of proof?
What would judges
like to hear in this
exact round from
your side?
BRAINSTORM
• Try to think
separately
• Imagine writing
Philosophy essay
• Ask questions
(Why? So what?)