Instigator / Pro
49
1566
rating
29
debates
56.9%
won
Topic
#1641

Nurture is the dominant factor over Nature

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
21
0
Better sources
14
4
Better legibility
7
2
Better conduct
7
1

After 7 votes and with 42 points ahead, the winner is...

DynamicSquid
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
3
Time for argument
Two days
Max argument characters
1,000
Voting period
One week
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Con
7
1581
rating
38
debates
64.47%
won
Description

Nature - How you were born
Nurture - How you were raised

Are our physical and mental selves like this because we were born like this, or because we were raised like this?

Round 1
Pro
#1
Hello Michael and thanks for accepting this debate. Let's get started...


A) OUTLINE

Round 1 - First argument
Round 2 - Second argument, and clash
Round 3 - Summarization, and clash

Arguments

1. What is Nature? - What are the limits of how nature affects us?
  • What exactly is nature?
  • Why it can't be the deciding factor
2. Real World Examples - How does our nurture affect us?
  • What exactly is nurture?
  • How does our environment affect us?

B) ARGUMENTS

What is Nature?What are the limits of how nature affects us?


I. What exactly is Nature?

According to Oxford, the definition of nature is:

the basic or inherent features of something
Or in this case, how you we born. Were you born a firefighter? Were you born a bully?
(An average person's physical and personality traits)

II. Why it can't be the deciding factor

When babies are born, they don't know what a firefighter is. They can't. They don't know anything about this world, until they are taught. An example of this would be your first language.


Thank you.
Con
#2
In the argument of nature vs. nurture, nature is what we're born with, (i.e., genetics).
Nurture is the upbringing and environment we're raised in. 

Pro used ambiguous pronouns such as "we," "us," and "ourselves" to describe the subjects of the nature vs. nurture debate. Pro didn't specify that the nature vs. nurture argument extended only to humans or that it was limited strictly to behavior, though that is the traditional bound of the debate.

Humans share 98.8% of DNA with chimps and bonobos. [1]
Humans share 70% of DNA with zebrafish. [2]
Humans share 60% of DNA with fruit flies. [3]

However, humans look very different from bonobos, vastly different from zebrafish, and fruit flies might as well have evolved on a different planet for all of the physical similarity they bear to homo sapiens


Round 2
Pro
#3
Hello and let's get right into this...

A) CLASH

extended only to humans or that it was limited strictly to behavior
Talking about humans here. And reasonable "physical and personality traits". Like your job, hobbies, or weight. And yes, you're correct, I'm using the traditional bound of this debate.

humans look very different from bonobos, vastly different from zebrafish
Humans only please.

Also keep in mind that my opponents didn't respond to any of my arguments in my last speech.


B) ARGUMENTS

Real World ExamplesHow does our nurture affect us?


I. What exactly is Nurture?

According to Oxford, nurture is:

the process of caring for [...] the growth or development of someone ...
Basically referring to parents, friends, and alike.

II. How does our environment affect us?

In tons of ways. Bible:

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed
Chaplain Ronnie Melancon:

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future
This is a proven fact.

Thank you.
Con
#4
Forfeited
Round 3
Pro
#5
In the debate, we have covered what nature is, and how it can't be the deciding factor. We have also talked about what nurture is, and how it is the deciding factor.

Keep in mind that my opponent has not yet refuted any of my claims.

My opponent has not provided a response in the last round, so I will leave it at that.

Thank you.
Con
#6
Forfeited