The World's Best Book Summaries
What type of things should you know before a debate? What should you learn about your opponent beforehand? Trey Gowdy believes that you should enter a debate armed with as much knowledge as possible about your topic and opponent. Preparedness matters more than charisma or luck and can be reliably honed through practice. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for a debate by acquiring new knowledge.
How important are facts in debates? How should you deliver facts when you’re arguing with someone? Trey Gowdy believes that facts provide a stronger basis for an argument than emotion. This is because they’re fixed and can be universally understood, even by people with opposing worldviews. Learn more about Gowdy’s strategies for presenting facts to win a debate.
Why is asking questions important in a debate? What types of questions should you ask? According to Trey Gowdy, the most effective tool of persuasion isn’t any particular way of making an argument but asking questions. Gowdy claims that as a prosecutor and chair of Congressional committees, he spent more time asking questions than constructing a narrative from those answers. Here’s how to ask questions in a debate so you can have the upper hand.
What does the ideal society look like? Has a philosopher from ancient Greece already designed one? In The Republic, Plato presents his vision of a perfect city-state. Through the character of Socrates, he outlines a society with a strict class system, communal living for some, and a “noble lie” to maintain order. Keep reading to explore the ins and outs of Plato’s ideal society.
What is information gathering in a debate? How can you gather information while also forming an argument against your opponent? Debating requires you to do many things at once. While your opponent is giving their argument, you also have to ask the right questions to receive more information that can be used against them. Discover how to gather information while you’re opponent has their turn to talk.
What drives people to join social movements? What makes individuals willing to sacrifice everything for a cause? In The True Believer, Eric Hoffer explores what causes mass social movements to start and gain momentum. He examines the psychological factors that lead people to dedicate themselves to a collective cause, often at great personal cost. Keep reading to learn how to start a social movement by understanding the two powerful forces behind them.
How can you execute refutation in debates? What are ways to undermine your opponent’s facts? According to Trey Gowdy, knowing your opponents is an important part of debating because it allows for an easy refutation of their argument. This means fully understanding what their arguments are, what facts they’re relying on, and what it would take to convince them to abandon their position. Check out how to get a good sense of who your opponents are so you can chip away at their argument.
How do societies evolve over time? What did ancient philosophers think about the progression of political systems? Plato’s vision of societal change is explored in his seminal work The Republic. The Greek thinker outlines a descent from an ideal city-state through four increasingly flawed forms of government. His theory offers insights into the nature of power, justice, and human behavior. Keep reading to understand Plato’s society model, and discover how his ideas still resonate in modern political discourse.
How do you use leading questions in a debate? What are the benefits of steering a conversation by asking questions? According to Trey Gowdy, there are three types of questions: leading, non-leading, and “why” questions. Leading questions can be used to direct the conversation and stay on topic when you’re opponent changes the subject. Let’s look at how to ask leading questions in a debate.
How do political leaders come to power? How do they maintain it? What makes someone a dictator rather than a democrat? People often discuss political leaders in terms of their ideologies, their dedication to their people, or their backgrounds. To understand the choices leaders make, though, you need to consider only one thing: their desire for power. Continue reading for an overview of the eye-opening book The Dictator’s Handbook by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith.