Sample Debate

Ownership



CHARACTERS:
A) A human.
B) Somebody who understands SR.


Situation:


Debate:
A: Wasn't it horrific for European settlers to steal America from the Native Americans?

B: I don't really believe in ownership, so I wouldn't be able to render any moral judgment.

A: What do you mean? The Native Americans were there first.

B: What do you mean they owned it? [It's a non-physical statement]

A: It means that they lived there first.

B: Already I can tell you're being sort of silly about it. Did "it" all belong to the first one ever to step foot on it?

A: That's a minor detail and not relevant here.

B: Why does being the first person to be on a place matter?

A: Because that determines who is the rightful owner of it.

B: Can you prove that?

A: Not with a logical proof, no.

B: Can you tell me why humans own the land and not other animals such as turtles which were here first?

A: Yes, because turtles aren't as intelligent as humans.

B: So what? Can you give me some good argument about why more intelligent life forms can own things and less intelligent forms of life can't? And can you then use this argument to calculate the exact transition point... in IQ points?

 A: No.

B: If you found out that an intelligent alien walked the surface of earth before humans existed then would you surrender all your property to it? And would you expect the rest of the human race to do the same?

A: Hmm. Maybe.

B: Well you are entitled to your own motivations. Your argument is morally based though. Can you provide any reason-line for me to return my land?

A: No; not if you're not moral.

B: Well if your whole argument relies on the premise that people agree with your morality the question is: can you logically illustrate why I would logically follow your morality?

A: No.

[We could go on to insist that this means it would be a "mistake" for B, but this wouldn't be necessary. Mistake is just a word with an association and the goal of SR is establishing logical motivation for actions (in this case the action of deciding not to obey "ownership" necessarily).]