I think this should be explicitly connected to “policy debates should not appear one-sided”. The incorrect response to the worst argument in the world results from forgetting this and trying to deny the downside to your position that your opponent has pointed out. The correct response is to acknowledge the downside but argue that the upsides outweigh it.
The correct response is to acknowledge the downside but argue that the upsides outweigh it.
Arguably, a better response (depending on the “goal” of the “debate”) would be to demonstrate confidence in the upsides and their superior worth in a manner which connotatively implies that the downside is far overshadowed. That’s somewhat Dark-Side-flavored, though.
I think this should be explicitly connected to “policy debates should not appear one-sided”. The incorrect response to the worst argument in the world results from forgetting this and trying to deny the downside to your position that your opponent has pointed out. The correct response is to acknowledge the downside but argue that the upsides outweigh it.
Arguably, a better response (depending on the “goal” of the “debate”) would be to demonstrate confidence in the upsides and their superior worth in a manner which connotatively implies that the downside is far overshadowed. That’s somewhat Dark-Side-flavored, though.