Debate Evidence/Proof?

[His*PITA*]

How do you feel about debate evidence/proof? Most of the time people, at some point, end up asking for it... and dont get me wrong I feel its very relevant to debates about facts and such...

But what happens when two people of opposing sides provide adequate "proof" that their side is correct?

[Honeybee]

Usually one proof of "truth" is weighed more heavily than another, if it's first or secondary source, etc.

If both parties have the EXACT same kind of proof on the same level, then they're at a stand still and neither are totally right.

[Jennifer Lynn]

It isn't "proof" if there is opposing "proof"

If both sides of an argument are "proven" to be correct, I would figure out where the evidence is from and what it's referring to, because they've got to be coming from a different origin.

[faerielyght]

When there is evidence that provides strong sway on both sides, I think it's rather hard to say whose side is more relevant. Many people tend to look at the side that has more people on it as proof that one is right and the other wrong. I think it's a bit more ambiguous, but

[Amberlyn]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lynn It isn't "proof" if there is opposing "proof" If both sides of an argument are "proven" to be correct, I would figure out where the evidence is from and what it's referring to, because they've got to be coming from a different origin.

this in the bold.. you can't prove one thing right, if there is exactly wieghted proof, proving them wrong... and if for some reason you "can" then its not a true winnable debate.. it would just then be matters of opinion.. which are never clear cut arguements

[felifreshh]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lynn It isn't "proof" if there is opposing "proof" If both sides of an argument are "proven" to be correct, I would figure out where the evidence is from and what it's referring to, because they've got to be coming from a different origin.

I agree..

You can't have proof of apples if someone has proof apples don't exist. That just doesn't make sense.

[CrankyDiva]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lynn It isn't "proof" if there is opposing "proof" If both sides of an argument are "proven" to be correct, I would figure out where the evidence is from and what it's referring to, because they've got to be coming from a different origin.

I disagree heavily with this statement. Proof can exist on both sides because both sides have a vested interest in providing the proof that will best adequately support their position. At the bare bones, proof can be interpreted to mean many things.

Is a woman who wears a short skirt to a bar asking to be assaulted or is she just confident with her looks?

[CrankyDiva]

Originally Posted by Amberlyn this in the bold.. you can't prove one thing right, if there is exactly wieghted proof, proving them wrong... and if for some reason you "can" then its not a true winnable debate.. it would just then be matters of opinion.. which are never clear cut arguements

Can you provide proof that the Civil War was fought to protect state's rights? Because I can provide proof that it was fought to obtain the freedom for the slaves.

[Berkley]

I think well 2 things.
1. if both sides are incapable of agreeing to disagree then neither should be debating .. on here at least.
2. if you mean on here.. well... this is a forum not a debate board... if people are taking it that seriously IMO they need a better passtime.

[His*PITA*]

Originally Posted by CrankyDiva Can you provide proof that the Civil War was fought to protect state's rights? Because I can provide proof that it was fought to obtain the freedom for the slaves.

This is the kind of stuff I was referring to...

Proof is all in how you interpret it, I was in a public speaking class and we were given the same article and told that we had to debate against each other over the same article and some of the presentations were pretty convincing...

Originally Posted by Berkley I think well 2 things. 1. if both sides are incapable of agreeing to disagree then neither should be debating .. on here at least. 2. if you mean on here.. well... this is a forum not a debate board... if people are taking it that seriously IMO they need a better passtime.

Haha yes, you are right... was jw because I always see people post proof for both sides but it rarely ends with "agreeing to disagree"