Congenial Debates on Controversial Questions

Facilitate honest, thoughtful and respectful consideration ofcontroversial questionsAn exciting first edition, Congenial Debates on ControversialQuestions is designed to promote careful and vigorous yet congenialand respectful examination of a wide range of controversial ethicalissues. It is unique in focusing attention on two steps that areessential prior to productive consideration of controversialquestions: First, the elimination of Straw Man distortions thatcause students to not only talk past one another but also to have avery negative view of those with whom they disagree; and second,the importance of understanding that those on the opposing sidehave legitimate and important concerns that can be understood andappreciated even by those who strongly disagree with theirposition.With those problems cleared away, students can approach thesedifficult questions with openness to the best arguments on bothsides: not with the goal of “meeting in the middle,” but ofhonestly appreciating the actual issues and the complexities ofthose issues.Congenial Debates on Controversial Questions isorganized around 15 major current issues, including the mostvigorously debated contemporary social issues, such as abortion,capital punishment, drug legalization, immigration, same-sexmarriage, church/state relations, the social responsibilities ofcorporations, and animal rights.Learning GoalsUpon completing this book, readers will be able to:Recognize the misinformation and Straw Man arguments in dailyconversations.Explore new perspectives on examining difficult issues.Gain an honest appreciation of the best points of differingview