CreateDebate


Debate Info

5
11
Cool Beans Sour Grapes
Debate Score:16
Arguments:10
Total Votes:21
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
 Cool Beans (4)
 
 Sour Grapes (6)

Debate Creator

Quantumhead(749) pic



Ideological Conservatism Is Sold To People Through The Purposeful Distortion Of Language

There are so many pertinent examples to illustrate the point that properly analysing them all would take a staggering amount of time. I do not believe it an exaggeration to say that one could easily find enough material to begin a linguistics or a political science PhD.

However, this is not a PhD, just a public debate, so I will provide only one example for people to argue about.

When conservatives say they believe in "personal responsibility", what they are actually saying is that they refuse to believe different circumstances often lead to different outcomes. It is a disguise for the assertion that circumstances do not shape who we are or the decisions we make, which rationalises the subsequent conclusion that everybody should be equally accountable. 

But is this not a fallacy? Equal accountability in a system which is not equal? A homeless man who steals a loaf of bread because he is hungry should be punished the same as a rich man who did it for no good reason?

If one considers the implications of equal accountability in a system which is not equal, it soon becomes clear that the words "personal accountability" are a veiled defence of the wealthy elite. The circumstances of this group are so privileged that they have very little need or incentive to break laws which enforcement have the resources to detect and punish, and hence we come to the truth of the matter.

Equal responsibility in a system which is not equal is a stacked outcome. That is, it is not equal, but rather weighted heavily in favour of those who have no incentive to break laws. By repeating this short, simple phrase about "personal responsibility" on an endless loop, what conservatives are actually doing is inculcating people into the notion that unfairness (i.e. inequality) is fair (i.e. equal).

Please discuss amongst yourselves. 

However, no attacks against liberalism, please. Attacking liberalism is not the same thing as defending conservatism. This is something which honest people do not require to be pointed out to them. Such attacks are both deflections and, since I am not promoting liberalism, also straw man arguments.

Thank you. Happy debating.

Cool Beans

Side Score: 5
VS.

Sour Grapes

Side Score: 11
Hannibal(16)
1 point

It is a disguise for the assertion that circumstances do not shape who we are or the decisions we make, which rationalises the subsequent conclusion that everybody should be equally accountable

Being a part of a species causes us to be the way we are. Liberals want our speciation and Darwinian instincts suppressed & replaced with brainwashing, just like when people train dogs to obey rather than be what a dog is.

Side: Cool Beans
Support Dispute Clarify
Jazzmaster(14)
0 points

Just another dumb lib. Nothing to see here guys. Move along.

Side: Cool Beans
Support Dispute Clarify
↑ Hide Replies
Holy_Wars(-1) Disputed
0 points

Dude, he literally just said no attacks against liberals.

What's the first thing you do? You attack liberals.

Good one.

Side: Sour Grapes
Support Dispute Clarify
AlofRI(3294)
2 points

If conservatives believe in "personal responsibility", how do they explain Trump being supported by the Republican Party? Stormy Daniels? Obvious infidelity! Refusal to protect the country from Russian attacks! The largest (by FAR) bill to tax payers for GOLF! Abuse of women! Broken promises to protect DACA non criminals, a tax bill that "hurts" his rich friends, to destroy ISIS (he's given that job to Putin who will end up with the influence in the middle east that WE need), Mexico will pay for the wall! Thousands of lawsuits, non payment to hundreds (thousands?) of contractors! Great Health care! Promises, promises ... personal responsibility? I can't see ANY!

Side: Sour Grapes
Support Dispute Clarify
↑ Hide Replies
Hannibal(16) Disputed
1 point

If conservatives believe in "personal responsibility", how do they explain Trump being supported by the Republican Party?

What does this have to do with personal responsibility

Side: Cool Beans
Support Dispute Clarify
TheAngryPlum(-2)
0 points

I like you al. You speak a lot of common sense.

It's probably why you get trolled so much.

Side: Sour Grapes
Support Dispute Clarify
Hannibal(16)
2 points

If I said "personal responsibility", I would mean supporting yourself & owning your mistakes as an individual.

Side: Sour Grapes
Support Dispute Clarify
Kalamazoo(333)
2 points

If we follow your madcap logic to it's natural conclusion on the stealing a loaf angle, then a homeless person who commits murder should receive a lesser sentence than his richer bro.

Side: Sour Grapes
Support Dispute Clarify
TheAngryPlum(-2)
1 point

Cons don;t believe in personal responsibility in the first place, so it doesn;t even matter. Look at what Bush did with Scooter Libby. They smirk everytime they even say the words personal responsibility. I voted for Hillary last time and I don;t even like her.

Side: Sour Grapes
Support Dispute Clarify
↑ Hide Replies
Hannibal(16) Disputed
1 point

I voted for Hillary last time and I don;t even like her.

Good thing we voted against you huh? Name one good thing Trump has accomplished that you think Hillary would have accomplished & why.

Side: Cool Beans
Support Dispute Clarify

Browse More Debates