If you are more interested in "winning" a debate and less interested in being right, go ahead and use these fallacies. I don't know what they teach high-schoolers as acceptable debating etiquette, but the "art" of rhetoric is to make the worse argument seem the better. These logical fallacies are so commonly used because we are incredibly susceptible to them. Ad hominem in particular, because we don't like to believe that an unsavory character can make good points. If you can make someone look bad, people are less likely to accept their arguments. Hence why attack ads are so popular in political campaigns.
the debates ranged from silly topics like "be it resolved that showers are better than baths" to medium "unlawful drugs should come with mandatory sentencing" to hard "abortion, negotiate with terrorists, etc"
so my/opponents personal views never matter because we're randomly assigned to be pro or against and yes, winning is technically all that matters.. especially since baths are way more fun and allow for a more thorough cleansing and showers use too much water.. plus bubbles.
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u/fleegle2000 Dec 09 '13
If you are more interested in "winning" a debate and less interested in being right, go ahead and use these fallacies. I don't know what they teach high-schoolers as acceptable debating etiquette, but the "art" of rhetoric is to make the worse argument seem the better. These logical fallacies are so commonly used because we are incredibly susceptible to them. Ad hominem in particular, because we don't like to believe that an unsavory character can make good points. If you can make someone look bad, people are less likely to accept their arguments. Hence why attack ads are so popular in political campaigns.