The Importance of First Principles in Debating

In debating, first principles are the bedrock upon which an argument rests. They are the assumptions that define not only the arguments of the opponent but also the sorts of evidence they will use to support those arguments. More than that, their first principles define how they view the subject matter itself.

An attack against the evidence used by the opponent to support their case can be deflected with sufficient verbal gymnastics. A badly structured argument can be disguised through skilfu...