Introduction
Nuclear
weapons are the most dangerous ones in the world. Dropping one nuclear
bomb has the capability to destroy entire cities, cause irreparable
environmental destruction, and claim millions of people. The nuclear
bomb has only been used twice, both times by the United States at
the end of World War II. However, a handful of countries today have
now developed their own nuclear weapon programs. Should nuclear
weapons be abolished? Today our debaters will tackle this serious
question.
Henry
(Constructive)
Nuclear weapons should be abolished. More and more countries are
creating their own nuclear weapons. However, these weapons of mass
destruction are a major barrier towards global peace. The effects
of using a nuclear weapon are too severe. The level of long-term
damage far surpasses any other act of war or violence. The effects
of radiation continue to cause suffering and death generations after
the dropping of the bomb. We must abolish nuclear weapons to create
a more humane world.
Ashley
(Constructive)
Nuclear weapons should not be abolished. They must be controlled
by responsible governments. What if this powerful weapon falls into
the hands of the wrong people? It is important to control the production
and possession of these weapons. However, we cannot abolish them
completely because nuclear weapons actually facilitate global peace.
The existence of these weapons help deter unstable governments or
organizations from committing perilous acts that threaten humanity.
Abolishing nuclear weapons would leave us vulnerable to such criminal
acts.
Henry
(Rebuttal)
As long as nuclear weapons exist, the world is at risk of facing
unspeakable destruction. Just think about what happened at Hiroshima
and Nagasaki during World War II. How can you support the existence
of a bomb that caused the utter destruction of two cities and led
to the death of thousands of civilians? We must abolish nuclear
weapons completely so that no one has access to them. The best way
to deter terrible acts against humanity is to destroy this dangerous
weapon.
Ashley
(Rebuttal)
I understand your points, Henry. I know that nuclear weapons cause
great suffering and destruction. I wish that they did not exist.
However, they have already been created and used, therefore the
complete abolition of nuclear weapons is unrealistic. Just because
we abolish nuclear weapons does not mean that they will continue
to exist. People will find a way to create these nuclear bombs.
That is why we must focus on controlling the use and production
of these weapons.
Judge’s
Comments
The winner of today’s debate is Ashley. Henry committed the complex
question fallacy. A debater commits this fallacy when he or she
asks a question that contains an unfair assumption. Henry asked
Ashley, “How can you support the existence of a bomb that caused
the utter destruction of two cities and led to the death of thousands
of civilians?” This question has an accusatory tone that implies
that Ashley is apathetic towards the destruction caused by the weapons.
This is not fair debate conduct.