The four finalists of the third annual Passion and Civility Debate Tournament at St. Edward’s University squared off Feb. 28, and one student emerged as the winner.

Junior communication major Brian Brown defeated senior philosophy major Ankit Babber in the final round.

The debate question was “Should the Obama administration be required to seek state approval to move Guantánamo Bay inmates to the state for trial?” Babber chose the affirmative case, with Brown taking the negative.

“My ethical analysis professor, Jack Green Musselman [Director of the Center for Ethics and Leadership], offered us extra credit, so that was the initial reason I got involved,” Brown said. “I got really lucky, because I chose to pick the topic both times… I did go with the topic I felt I had the most argument for.”

Brown was the third winner in three years.

 

The structure

Hosted jointly by the Center for Ethics and Leadership and Campus Ministry, the event encouraged students to argue their cases passionately while maintaining respect for one’s opponent. First prize was awarded $300, with second receiving $200 and the semi-finalists receiving $100 each.

Each debate was structured so that the winner of a coin toss chose one of two topics, and the other debater chose the affirmative or negative case. The affirmative side began with a five minute speech, followed by five minutes from the negative.

The affirmative gave a three minute rebuttal, the negative answered with five minutes and then the affirmative makes a two minute closing statement. Contestants are allowed time for preparation and clarifying questions at specific times during the debate.

 

What went down

In the semi-finals, Brown had faced freshman philosophy major Jesse Mansfield over the question, “Should the Obama administration establish ‘the High Road’ policy?” The High Road policy seeks to give priority in government contracts to companies that offer employees a living wage and benefits. Mansfield argued against the policy and Brown argued for it, but both formed their arguments from the standpoint of benefiting small businesses.

Babber had faced sophomore Ryan Lester in his semi-final round. Their question was “Should wild creatures be allowed to be kept in captivity?” Babber chose the affirmative side and eventually won based on his argument that captivity should be allowed but not public shows.

Judging was not based on consensus, and each debate resulted in a split decision.

“The persuasiveness of the arguments, the clarity of the statement of thesis and a consistency throughout is the best judgment,” Assistant Professor of Philosophy Peter Wake, who has been a judge during all three years of the tournament’s history, said. “An emphasis on logos is central for judging a debate of this kind. Pathos in the service of logos will only help a debater’s case.”

 

Background

The debates center around questions on current events, from on campus to national.

“It’s set up in a way that allows people that haven’t had experience in debate can do it too,” Administrative Coordinator Kate Rosati, who played a large part in organizing the event, said. “It’s really just based on forming an argument, like you would for Capstone. It’s that kind of critical thinking.”

Like many campus events, the tournament was based strongly on the Holy Cross tradition.

“Campus Ministry talks about educating both the mind and the heart, and that’s why it’s passion and civility,” Rosati said. “You can be passionate about something, but it doesn’t have to be like talk radio or what you see on the news so much nowadays, where people are just kind of yelling at each other.”

Associate Director of Campus Ministry James Puglisi introduced the idea of a debate tournament, which he borrowed from Westmont College.

“I like the format because it often forces you to argue a position that you may be personally contrary to,” Puglisi said. “It makes you go into the other person’s perspective. You start to understand some of their value systems and don’t just assume they know nothing.”

 

Looking ahead

Rosati said that the tournament attempts to involve students from different backgrounds and majors, but the number of contestants this year declined.

“We’d love to grow the tournament,” Puglisi said. “We’d like to see more women participating, and also students from across the disciplines.”

 

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Feb. 20

4:04 p.m.

Reckless driving

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Feb. 18

2:15 a.m.

Harassment

East Hall

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Feb. 18

2:10 a.m.

Harassment

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Feb. 17

5 p.m.

Criminal mischief

Parking lot adjacent to Fine Arts building

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Feb. 16

Noon

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Hunt Hall

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Feb. 16

11:50 a.m.

Attempted vehicle theft

Parking lot east of garage

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