In this blog post, we are taking the next step to developing our topic proposal. By now, hopefully you have identified a highly debatable issue that is related to our theme and related to your interest. I'm hoping that we can make a clear link between the issue of your choice and your positionality.Also by now, it should be clear what your position is on the issue. You need to know this, and know it clearly. If you do not have a clear opinion, I recommend that you reconsider the topic.
Making an opinion is an easy thing to do. We do it several times per day. When someone asks us our opinion on any given subject, we can usually answer. We may feel strongly or not strongly, but nevertheless we can usually recognize which side of the debate we are on.
The harder part is to outline how we arrive at our opinion. That is, can we identify what assumptions we have on which our opinion is based. These assumptions are what we call premises.
For example, I may have a clear and direct position such as this: I do not support the building of dams on the Mekong River. This is an easy statement to make. The harder step is to outline premises that lead me to this position. There are many ways to do it. But it depends on how I intend to argue this.
Let's say that I want to argue it from an environmental perspective.
I may begin like this:
The Mekong River is one of the most ecologically diverse and sensitive rivers in the world.
This premise sets the argument around the river being "ecologically diverse and sensitive". Let's develop from here.
An ecologically diverse and sensitive river requires a stable environment in order to survive.
Here I have introduced the importance of a "stable environment". Keep going.
Damming the Mekong River will bring instability to the environment, which will threaten the diversity and sensitivity of this river.
This premise introduces the impact of the dam. Which will take me to the final premise.
It is very important to protect and preserve the diversity and sensitivity of the Mekong River.
This premise introduces the importance of protecting the unique ecology of the Mekong, which ultimately brings me to my position.
I do not support the building of dams on the Mekong River.
In the end, my argument looks like this all together:
The Mekong River is one of the most ecologically diverse and sensitive rivers in the world. An ecologically diverse and sensitive river requires a stable environment in order to survive. Damming the Mekong River will bring instability to the environment, which will threaten the diversity and sensitivity of this river. It is very important to protect and preserve the diversity and sensitivity of the Mekong River. I do not support the building of dams on the Mekong River.
This is a well-reasoned position. And it is argued from an environmental perspective (and not an economic or social perspective). You need to know what type of debate you're having, and it should be reflected in your premises.
In this blog, I want you to share your reasoning by outlining your premises that lead to your position.
Remember to include your ID# in your post. Please make your post by May 28. Aj. M
#6180634 - Section 7
ReplyDeleteHuman Right is a must in our lives. Refugees from Myanmar do not enjoy human rights due to the ethnic/religious issues. All people should be protected equally. As Thailand is a moral-open-minded country, and a country that practicing human rights concept, and also a affordable country to accommodate those refugees other than their neighbor country, Thailand should lend their hand by allowing refugees to enter the country, of course with some terms and conditions.
Looks great. Work to keep the premises simple. Be careful about adding details like "terms and conditions" at this point. Overall, logical development.
Delete#6180693 #section 7
ReplyDeleteBangkok, Thailand is one of the six fastest developing Asean cities. It is the central city in terms of economy. There is no denying that many migrants from rural and neighboring Asean countries such as Myanmar move to seek for job in Bangkok. Due to urbanization in Bangkok, the number of population keeps increasing. Therefore, residences and infrastructure are accelerated to build in order to access people living in the cities. Constructing building is required a large acre of the empty lands within short period, so deforestation becomes one of the fastest methods for the land usage. When the trees are decreased, there are a plenty of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Then the air is polluted and the temperature is changed. Bangkok should not rapidly step to urbanization due to environmental impact.
This generally works, but the premise about migrant workers is irrelevant. Just argue this from an environmental perspective, not an economic one.
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ReplyDelete#6180603 section #7
ReplyDeleteEconomy is one of the most important factors that indicate development of the country. However, these cardholders are not able to use the welfare card to buy goods in other shops apart from Thong Fah Pracha Rat shops in different branches. Consequently, the total revenue will be circulated only in this market, which is different from when these people can spend money in various grocery stores, and local markets. To put it simply, there will be fewer opportunities that money will be distributed within the community to maintain long-term economic growth.
I think you have to argue this from a micro-economic perspective and not a macro-economic one. The argument of the welfare card is about whether or not it improves the economic well-being of the individual, and not of the country. I don't think anyone is arguing that the welfare card will improve the economy of Thailand.
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ReplyDelete#6180070 #section 7
ReplyDeleteAlternative ways of cannabis usages become a debate in Thailand, since some people believe marijuana to be an abusive drug and should be use only in medication while some want marijuana to be totally regalized. However, there is also a group that disagree on the idea of marijuana legalrization in every way. Thailand economic estentally rely on the country's argreculture. Since marijuana is a lot valueable comparing to rice or rubber, which are the two major income, including marijuana as one of Thailand's main argrecultural plants might solve the poverty among Thai farmers. It is very important that we souldn't stick to the old school ideaology and move on to the better standard lives by accepting the fact that marijuana can be benefital in many ways. I do support the legalization of marjuana use in Thailand in both medication and casual usages to evaluate Thailand's economic and Thai people standard lives.
This is interesting. It looks like you are arguing this from an economic perspective (not a health one). This works. It is also interesting how the economic argument is extended to the agricultural sector and not just to the buying and selling of the product. Keep going.
Delete#6180006 #Section7
ReplyDeleteElectricity is the most required factor for population in the modern world. Electricity should be created and produce by mostly unlimited and sustainable resources. Since the GMS countries needs electricity, they should produce electricity by their sustainable resource. At this time, freshwater start to become unsustainable from deforestation in the GMS, which leads to global warming. The global warming makes sunlight stronger. Strong sunlight gives high amount energy that human can used. Therefore, I think that the GMS should not use hydropower and use other resources like solar energy.
There is some mixed logic here. According to my understanding, you're saying that lack of freshwater is due to deforestation. Global warming is due to deforestation. Strong sunlight is due global warming. We should use energy from strong sunlight. Be careful about this logic.
Delete#6180059 #section 7
ReplyDeleteIt has been around a century that Thai society relies on plastic, nevertheless now is time to change. Single-use plastic represents the epitome of today throwaway culture. The U.N. Environment reports plastics do not biodegrade instead break down into smaller pieces called microplastics and take up to thousands of years to decompose. Throw-away plastics affect not only the ecosystem but also always be a nightmare for animals. The video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nostril communicate who is the most suffering. If we have less consumption of single-use plastic, it would contribute to the development of the country society. Ultimately, it would turn lives to the sea.
The logical development is good until the final point, which is unclear: "contribute the development of the country society"... I'm not sure what this means. Re-work this.
Delete#6180657 #sec7
ReplyDeletePM2.5 crisis cause many negative impacts for Thai people for a while such as damage on the human respiratory system which is the most significant issue. This crisis caused by motor vehicles, airplanes, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, volcanic eruptions, and dust storms. This crisis causes people life more difficult for example traveling from place to place. This spread out into many countries, especially in Chiang Mai which affects the tourist who visits Chiang Mai at that time. On the other hand, a part of the domestic income has improved by selling the wood to another country. In my opinion, I think that people should care more about the environment issue.
You lose the logic in the final premises. Keep it focused. I'm not sure how selling wood is related to the PM2.5 issue.
DeleteExporting elephants is a sensitive issue to many people. Thailand has been exported elephants to other countries, such as China, UK, and so on, for many years ago. The ministry make a permission to export elephants out of Thailand legally. They will use this permission to trade elephant for researching, developing a good relation and exporting other elephants’ products. However, I disagree with the this permission. Although the government will has permission with other countries about exporting elephants, there are nothing to guarantee that other countries will take care of the elephants well. Moreover, a lot of elephants usually died while transport due to cruelty and illness. From this situation, elephants in Thailand tend to extinct easily. I think that Thailand should not be allowed to export elephants because elephants also can feel hurt or sad like humans. Therefore, we should care more about animals’ lives, which means that elephants should have a free life to live as same as humans.
ReplyDeleteThis generally looks good. Be careful about how you're arguing this. Are you arguing this from an animal rights perspective? (I think so.) So this argument means that Thailand cannot trust other countries to protect the elephants properly. Is this what you're saying?
Delete#6180557 #section7
ReplyDeleteThailand’s energy sector should focus all of its efforts towards biomass energy. For years, Thailand has not only relied on fossil fuels for its energy but also the exported energy from its neighboring countries. Recently, Thailand has experienced two major issues, the PM 2.5 crisis and the depletion of energy reserves due to electricity being cut off from Myanmar temporarily.This shows that Thailand is at the crossroads between an energy crisis and an environmental crisis. Also, as an industrial hub, Thailand can not afford another scare like this. To answer this twofold problem, we need not look any further than renewable energy. The reason why hydropower is out of question, though its one of Thailand’s sources of renewable energy is due to the significance of the Chao Phraya River and the geopolitical issues associated with the damming of the Mekong RIver. Solar and wind power are also not the strongest options for Thailand because they are simply not the cheapest options. Which is why biomass is the clear winner for the future of Thai energy. Not only will it take advantage of Thai’s agricultural strengths but also drive innovation for two of biomass’ largest breakthroughs, exhaust pipe technology and biomass generator efficiency. This innovation is not only important for Thailand but is also an significant contribution to the global clean energy initiative.
This works well. What these premises do is they argue against other forms of energy production, and not exactly for biomass. You will need to develop premises to show how biomass is the best option.
DeleteResponsible for the death of hundreds in early 2000s, Jemaah Islamiyah won’t stop unless we stop them. Jemaah Islamiyah is a religious group that first started in Indonesia. By 2 decade, this particular group had attacked Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, and Australia. Their unreasonable goals of establishing Southeast Asia as the Islamic state wouldn't be tolerate by the affected countries. While some people believe that negotiating with Jemaah Islamiyah works, others disagree. They think that bloodshed might be our only answer. In my point of view, we might have to face with violence, but I believe that we could minimize the damage if we work with other nations to stop the terrorist. Our main priority would be decreasing casualties from both sides.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice description of the debate. Now you need to develop premises that argue for solving this issue through cooperation with other countries.
Delete#6180519 #section 7
ReplyDeleteMilitary Conscription has been on Thailand for many year and basically every young Thai man will select at random to join military for 2 years or if you don't want to bet your luck. You still need to study ROTC program in high school. Is this necessary in the world where there is no war and if the war happen super weapon will be use first instead of troopers. Military conscription is very controversial topic in Thailand and many news modern political party try to end it and military still try to keep it with all of their power. But in my opinion i think that this military conscription need to be cancel and change to volunteer draft like in the U.S. and Europe. I don't agree with conscription because i has experience ROTC training program myself and i there are many news about young Thai men that lost their job or opportunity because of the conscription.
You have described the debate well. Now, you need to decide on a set of premises that argue for volunteer service.
Delete#6180988 #section7
ReplyDeleteGlobalization allows media & entertainment to become a significant factor in current economic area and development around the world. Focusing on Asia, Korea and China have been dramatically developed since the emerge of their successful in entertainment industry. For a decade, Thailand has rapidly proceed with the media especially Fine art, film, music and commercial. This offers Thailand a chance to represent their culture to outside world, which will gain more attention in tourism and investment in Thai traditional products. Although there are critics saying that Thailand is not ready and should focus on already-succeeded sections such as agriculture, Thailand can receive multi-benefit from specifically funding only entertainment industry. Therefore, it is worth for limited-funds. Thailand economy will be boosted extensively in various area.
This works. I think the debatable premise is that it would take "limited funds" to have an internationally successful and profitable entertainment industry. Many would be skeptical about this.
Delete6180922 Sec 7
ReplyDeleteThailand has done an election for the next Prime Minister since March 24th 2019. It is considerably to be said that the voting for 9 weeks already without any results to be known on the winner. On the voting day, the counting of the results has started in the late evening causing some controversy on the purity of the vote counts where on previous times has happened during the afternoon. It is seen normal to be able to know the basic results on that day, there is a delay and have some revotes to do. Currently Thailand has still been using the same ongoing prime minister that has taken over the prime minister for 5 years up until now. Thai people should make a movement towards making a change and making sure that the election results come out as soon as possible after the voting, although some disagree. For the past 8 weeks, there has not been a move from the Thais as a whole to make a move to find out the results. Although there were moves to step up for the rights for the politicians but non major moves towards knowing the results of the voting that has been done more than 9 weeks ago. Thai people are considered to be confirmative with any situation that is happening and has a bystander effect going on. Therefore, Thai people needs to make a effective move altogether to make a change together to get the results of the election as soon as possible.
Work to keep your reasoning simple. It is unclear what "making a move" means. I think that you are arguing that no matter what happens now, the results can't be trusted. Work to clarify exactly what you are arguing for.
Delete#6180653#sec7
ReplyDeleteAnimal testing is the method which people think that it is cruel because when scientists want to test, sometimes they use the huge number of animals, and some of them will hurt. Especially in Thailand, animal abusing is an action that is bad in term of religion. However, From my opinion, animal testing is the best way for people for testing products and I really do agree with it because every product must be tested before selling to customers. Moreover, it is beneficial for people in many terms such as developing medical treatments and saving the cost for testing. In Thailand, there are policies for researching animals for scientific purpose, so this can prove that animals will be tested properly.
Ok. The premises are generally clear. But I'm not sure how you are arguing this. Are you arguing against the religious perspective that is against animal testing? If you are simply saying that we should do animal testing for scientific purposes, this may not make a good topic idea because that is what we do already (not very debatable).
DeleteThailand is an every-growing Third world country that has potential to further develop. Thus, to improve their economy, the government therefore has to increase government expenditure which will cause an imbalance to the country’s balance of payments. At which i am promoting the idea of legalisation of gambling in Thailand due to other examples of other countries that have legalised gambling due to the government having the ability to tax casinos and the large potential of expenditure from gambling. There are numerous other benefits from the legalisation of gambling however due to religious beliefs and as well the promotion of crime that comes with gambling. However, the increase in government expenditure will help counter the other disadvantages such as increase spending in enforcement etc which is why I am promoting the idea of legalising Gambling #6180153
ReplyDeleteThe reasoning for this argument works. This is not a new/current debate, but the logical development is clear.
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ReplyDelete#6180631 #section7
ReplyDeleteThe lottery is one of the most well-known and addictive gambling game. Every two week, the majority of Thai people will buy the ticket to get into this low-odds game of chance in which winners are decided by a random drawing. This schemes will never make our citizen wealthy and live a long term happy life. It is very important that the government need to provide a stable income of citizen, teach them to be smarter with money, and not to promote a gambling scheme to nationwide. I do not support the government's lottery schemes.
Be careful. This position is based on premise that some people believe that they will get wealthy from buying a lottery ticket. I'm not sure that this is a true premise. I don't think people are honestly trying to solve their economic difficulties through the lottery.
DeleteOk. Generally works, but always keep it focused. Keep the premises specific to Thailand (not just countries in Asia). And the final point takes the argument to "more developed," which introduces an economic perspective, right? Is this the way the argument is going? Or are you arguing this from an equality perspective?
ReplyDeleteThe journal blog is now closed. Thank you for your participation. Aj. M
ReplyDelete6180614 sec7
ReplyDeleteTransportation is one of the largest factor of world global warming emissions. The global warming impacts such as record high temperatures, rising seas, and severe flooding. Many countries in europe are now turn their hope into electric cars. Electric cars are powered by electricity, which mean the energy is cleaner and cheaper than fossil fuel. Car manufacturers in Thailand are not start importing and selling electric cars, but with the high import tax and lack of charging station definitely hold many customers from buying electric cars. Most of the electric cars in Thailand is all imported cars, because Thailand doesn’t have any local electric cars company. Thailand we have a 300% tex for every import car that make 5 million baht car is now selling at 12 million baht. Also, electric cars only can go about 300-500 kilometer maximum, and with a lack of charging facility people can’t use with a long distance road trip. Therefore, I think that Thailand is not ready for a electric cars country from its high price and a limited driving range.