NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota-based Great American Think-Off is posing a familiar question for its 20th annual debate.
This year's question is: "The Nature of Humankind: Inherently Good or Inherently Evil?"
That's the same question the Great American Think-Off posed in its first year. And it's the only time in Think-Off history that the question resulted in a draw.
Organizers say they decided to revisit the question this year to get a clearer answer.
The annual people's philosophy contest is open to anyone at no cost. Entrants must submit a 750-word essay by April 1. The four finalists will be invited to participate in a debate before an audience in New York Mills on June 9.
The audience will choose the winner.
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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
Comments (8)
Add commentOne doesn't need 750 words to
One doesn't need 750 words to point out that this question falls under the "False Dilemma" fallacy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_dilemma
The question of "inherently" good or evil is a religious notion, and as such a debate would naturally digress to religious themes.
It's time to move on and pose a real question.
Not so hasty, Fred .......
Not so hasty, Fred ....... the Think-Off might provide Bachmann, Santorum, and a few of our local 'philosophers', ie., johngalt, pdnett, etc. with an opportunity to further expand their consciousness.
What would be a good question, then?
So, Fred. Is Annie's approach of character assasination of those whom she hates good or bad reasoning? (Hint: you don't have to appeal to religion to answer the question.) Perhaps, if your reasoning skills are so incisive, you should give it a shot. Maybe there's money involved.
tripwire3
There is prize money involved. According to the the Think-Off website ( http://www.think-off.org/ ): "The four final essayists will each receive a $500 cash prize and travel expenses to the debate..."
People are Inherently Good
People are Inherently Good IMO. However, those good people are easily swayed to be evil by evil people in positions of power.
This can be proved in the Stanley Milgram experiments on obedience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB8AMUHq2HY
And also:
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” Joseph Goebbels.
Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country. Hermann Göring
Sounds just like our government eh?
"Is humankind good or
"Is humankind good or evil?"
Yes.
Neo-cons and Neo-Libs
Are evil. Align yourself with them, and YOU are evil!