KritikPut the K in debate

What is kritik?

Challenges the assumptions of the aff

Similar to a cp in it’s function and purpose

Offers an alternative that corrects the flawed assumptions of the aff

Generally does not involve government action

Important terms

Epistemology-study of knowledge Ontology-study of being Deontology-morality based on duty

and obligation to rule Utilitarianism- Greatest good for the

greatest number Postmodernism-period of philosophy

and academia, instability and uncertainty of meaning, critical of modern philosophy

Epistemolgy

Epistemology-study of knowledge

How do we acquire knowledge?

What qualifies as knowledge?

What is the relationship between

knowledge, belief, and truth?

Ontology

Ontology-study of being

sub branch of philosophy under metaphysics

What actually exists?

What does it mean to exist?

What is the meaning of existence?

Deontology

Deontology-morality based on duty and obligation to rule

Categorical imperative The result of the action is less

important than the justification and reason for acting

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism- Greatest good for the greatest number

Most policy affs operate under a utilitarian framework

Postmodernism

Postmodernism-period of philosophy and academia, instability and uncertainty of meaning,

critical of modern philosophy Embraces new fields of study Psychology, science, sociology, etc.

Why should I run a kritik?

Greater argument diversity

Develops skills not used in traditional debate

Still trips some teams up

Talking about assumptions and justifications is important

Parts of a kritik

Link

Impact

alternative

link

Links to the assumptions of the aff Aff reinforces X Aff props up X Aff engages in X

permutation

Perms of the K are essentially no link arguments

Proves that plan action and alt are not mutually exclusive

Impact

Function similar to policy impacts, but vary in type

extinction No value to life Ethics Dehumanization Systemic impacts

alternavie

Non government action Rethink/withdrawal Change mindset/approach Somewhat abstract Requires strong explanation

framework

Gateway issue Test the theoretical legitimacy of the

aff Does the neg have to offer a

competitive policy option? More judges are willing to let teams

leverage than advantages than outright rejecting the k

Difference between critical and policy debate

• Links and impacts are different

• Alternative

• Moves away from government action and consequentialism and focuses more on justification

Researching the K

Not the same as researching policy arguments

Use primary sources Project muse and other academic

search engines See what other authors right about

the issue or author in question

Tips for running the K

Practice Understand the philosophy Understand the story write overviews Break it down in the same way you

break down policy arguments

Tricks for running a kritik

Role of the ballot

K is a prerequisite

Ethics first

Root cause