An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate - Bible Baptist Church

Argumentation and DebateHistory of Debate – RhetoricI. Began with Ancient ____________ (Acts 17:18)History of Debate – RhetoricA. Academic debate began at least 2,400 years ago when the scholar Protagoras of Abdera(481- 411 B.C.), known as the father of debate, conducted debates among his students inAthens.B. Debates started out as attempts at trying to find out all truth. Obviously, all truth cannot befound out by the use of reason aloneC. Debates ended up being forms of entertainment, and also justification for how things were –all so that people did not have to take responsibility for their actions and attitudes (see adrunkard how they will avidly debate their sin)D. ______________________1. These were so called from Epicurus, the son of Neocles, who was born 342 years beforeChrist, and taught philosophy at Athens, in his garden2. The principal tenets of which were:a. The world was not made by any deity, or with any design, but came into its beingand form, through a fortuitous concourse of atoms, of various sizes and magnitude,which met, and jumbled, and cemented together, and so formed the worldb. That the world is not governed by the providence of God; for though he did not denythe being of God, yet he thought it below his notice, and beneath his majesty toconcern himself with its affairs;c. That the chief happiness of men lies in pleasure.3. His followers were called "Epicureans"; of which there have been two sorts;a. The one were called the strict or rigid "Epicureans", who placed all happiness in thepleasure of the mind, arising from the practice of moral virtue, and which is thoughtby some to be the true principle of "Epicureans"b. The other were called the loose, or the remiss Epicureans, who understood theirmaster in the gross sense, and placed all their happiness in the pleasure of the body,in brutal and sensual pleasure, in living a voluptuous life, in eating and drinking, etc.and this is the common notion imbibed of an Epicurean.E. ______________1. The author of this sect was Zeno, whose followers were so called from the Greek word"Stoa", which signifies a portico, or piazza, under which Zeno used to walk, and teachhis philosophy, and where great numbers of disciples attended him, who from hencewere called "Stoics"2. Their chief tenets were:a. There is but one godb. that the world was made by him, and is governed by fatec. that happiness lies in virtue, and virtue has its own reward in itselfd. that all virtues are linked together, and all vices are equale. that a wise and good man is destitute of all passion, and uneasiness of mind, isalways the same, and always joyful, and ever happy in the greatest torture, painbeing no real evilf. that the soul lives on after the bodyg. that the world will be destroyed by fire.3. To them, having wisdom was the greatest purpose in life.Page 11