Current Events
In January 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law that would ban this app in the U.S. unless it is divested from its Chinese parent.
What is Tiktok
Either we ban phones in class, or children will become addicted to them and no longer be able to learn
What is the slippery slope fallacy?
A moral framework that states that actions should be taken regarding the greatest net benefit
What is the principle of charity?
A strategic technique used to define the context and criteria for a debate, shaping how arguments are perceived and evaluated by judges and the audience
What is debate framing
This one-on-one style, common in U.S. high schools, emphasizes values and philosophy.
What is Lincoln-Douglas debate?
On May 20, 2025, member states adopted a new legally binding Pandemic Agreement to strengthen global preparedness. Name the U.N. agency.
What is the World Health Organization?
After speed cameras went up, crashes fell, so the cameras caused it.
What is post hoc / confusing correlation with causation?
A Rawlsian device where you imagine designing society’s rules without knowing your class, race, or talents.
What is the veil of ignorance?
First, second, third, the roadmap you give listeners.
What is signposting?
This two-on-two format centers on a yearlong resolution and detailed plans.
What is Policy Debate?
In June 2025, a federal judge approved a $2.8 billion settlement that lets Division I schools directly pay athletes. Name the organization at the center of the case.
What is the NCAA?
They want to trim defense spending, so they want the country to be defenseless.
What is a straw man?
The idea that a free society must sometimes refuse tolerance to movements that would end tolerance.
What is the paradox of tolerance?
The responsibility to present a case before the other side must answer.
What is the burden of proof?
This university format has four teams of two, with Opening and Closing benches on Government and Opposition.
What is Parliamentary debate?
In September 2025, this EU country became the first to enact a national AI law aligned with the EU AI Act.
What is Italy?
Testing 20 subgroups until one shows significance, then touting only that result.
What is the Texas sharpshooter/p-hacking?
When factors beyond a person’s control influence how we judge their blame or praise.
What is moral luck?
Retreating to a safe, narrow claim after making a broad, provocative one.
What is the motte-and-bailey?
This two-on-two format features a coin flip to choose a side or speaking order and uses monthly resolutions.
What is Public Forum debate?
In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a lawsuit brought by this country against U.S. gun makers was barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Name the country.
What is Mexico?
You say my plan is flawed, but you used to support it.
What is tu quoque(appeal to hypocrisy)?
In population ethics, the claim that a very large number of lives barely worth living could be better than fewer very good lives.
What is the Repugnant Conclusion?
Shaping choices as losses vs. gains to sway risk preferences.
What is the framing effect (prospect theory)?
This three-on-three format, popularized by debate education groups, emphasizes public policy and critical thinking.
What is Karl Popper debate?