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Critiques and Gaming theory

 
I have a few thoughts on Critiques and the application of the concept of
debate as a game...
 
First, debate is a game both teams agreed to play under the parameters
of the resolution.  The critique, basically, questions or analyzes a
particular aspect of the parameters the game is being played under.  It
is perfectly legitimate to question the assumptions under which the game
is being played - BUT, no one should lose the game based on the critique
of these assumptions or parameters.  The reason for this is that both teams
reify the acceptability of debating under the resolutional parameters by
entering the round.  It is still okay to question those parameters, both 
before, during, and after the round.  An in-round critique only affords
a different arena for examining the parameters.  The affirmatives only
burden should be to facilitiate this analysis by responding to the
critique.  Both teams agreed to play the game and one team should not
lose because, perhaps, the parameters are flawed.  I suppose this
would apply to resolutional critiques.
 
Does this make sense at all?  Would the negative response that they only
came into the round to prove the parameters wrong be a justification
for a voter (I don't think so).  
 
Second, language/exist critiques.  I lost finals at Southern this
weekend because my Ayn Rand in '66 cards on objectivism used the
word "man".  I kinda sorta dropped the argument in 2NR sorta kinda
so I understand why I lost (even though I don't think it became a
voter till 2AR but that's another thing all together).  Anyways, to
overcome this sort of argumentation would it be acceptable to merely
put " (SIC)" at the end of those cards using the "sexist" language?
The aff claimed that I should modify or edit the cards to use inclusive
language but I disagree with editing cards (just my own ethical thing
I guess).  Besides straight argumentation to the attack what kind of
"precautions" can one or SHOULD one take towards evidence in a 
similar type of situation.
 
Joe Boyle
Harding University
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Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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