Instigator / Pro
9
1500
rating
5
debates
60.0%
won
Topic
#4987

Abortion is Murder

Status
Finished

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

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
3
15
Better sources
4
10
Better legibility
2
5
Better conduct
0
5

After 5 votes and with 26 points ahead, the winner is...

Public-Choice
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
3
Time for argument
One week
Max argument characters
10,000
Voting period
One week
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Con
35
1589
rating
18
debates
69.44%
won
Description

I (Kouen) will argue that Abortion Is Murder while the opponent will argue that Abortion Is not Murder

Criterion
Pro
Tie
Con
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Kouen R1
Shared burden of proof, murder as killing,
One might argue 'why the word murder exists, if it means the 'same as killing,
Also might have been better put in description.
By Kouen's definition, I assume he'll make strong push towards debate being about whether fetus is a 'person.
Kouen uses a source and pushes for human life starting at fertilization,
Still, human 'life might not be viewed the same as human 'being.

Public-Choice R1
Yeah there's the weak point of using definitions in R1 rather than description, that can occur,
Though sometimes opponents are agreeable enough to R1 definitions.

I think that's a 'really weak definition of murder by Public-Choice.
To me looks that it's 'clearly talking about 'nations more than people.
Sources 2-5 argue for people having access and against criminalizing abortion, but that isn't the same as them taking a stance on whether it is murder/killing or not.
Not 'all definitions of murder 'require it to be criminal.

With just 1 round (The rest being forfeited or extended), neither side makes 'arguments that I consider convincing or 'better, Tie,
Both sides used sources, but I did not think Public-Choice's 'fit into the debate,
However Kouen did not fully 'utilize their source, Tie,
Legibility tie, both understandable.
Public-Choice get's conduct, since they were at least 'around for the debate,
Still, "(waiving is not an argument)"
https://info.debateart.com/terms-of-service/voting-policy

Criterion
Pro
Tie
Con
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Full forfeit by Pro.

Criterion
Pro
Tie
Con
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Full forfeit.

Criterion
Pro
Tie
Con
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Nothing really to add. Seems like it could have been a good debate, but it’s a FF from Pro.

Criterion
Pro
Tie
Con
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Nice R1 from pro but ultimately an FF.

Con wisely calls out the definition for special pleading. Additionally it’s an absurd definition, which reduced self defense and everyone involved in convicting and executing a mass murderer as murderers themselves.

Flipping pros own appeal to authority was well executed (pun intended, murderer!). While I see defenses which could be done on that front, they were not.