China Debate Education Network: Elements of Arguments: Evidence

Defined. – Starting point of any argument – Foundation on which an argument is built

Categories of Evidence Evidence based on Reality FactsObserved or potentially observable TheoriesStatements that explain other facts or that predict events PresumptionsStatements concerning our expectations Evi8dence based on preference ValuesEvidence based on an audience’s preferences Value HierarchiesEvidence based on how values are arranged Value CategoriesValues arranged into categories such that the category itself is evidence

Facts Direct observation Historical observation Examples and Illustrations Statistics Descriptions of empirical studies

Theories Formal theories – Einstein's general and specific theories – Darwin’s theory of evolution Less formal theories – Peltzman’s theory of risk compensation

Presumptions What we expect to happen. About the nature of people Rebuttable presumptions

Values Any statement expressing something other than indifference Values of individual or collective rights

Value hierarchies Establish certain values as more important than others. Important only when 2 values collide

Value Categories Quantity Quality Reparability