Question

Should the National Security Agency be able to spy on average American citizens without their knowledge or a warrant?

Build four arguments (also known as rhetorical proofs), each using a different type of reasoning (reasoning through example, analogy, signs, cause, testimony, narrative).

Answer 1

*Note: I have used UK English. Please paste the answer to MS Word and you should be able to spot any difference easily.

(Answer) While considering any matter of debate, it is always prudent to first point out why the problem has risen in the first place. Once there is a definitive reason for the issue, the solutions should be analysed and tested before proper implementation.

Part 1: The problem – The National Security Agency would spy on American citizens for a major reason like security and gathering of ‘intel’ after a crisis may have occurred. In a situation like that, it is helpful to analyse data from the past. A few core questions need to be answered, like:

Does spying on personal information and communications of the American citizen actually help spot probable threat?

In times of crisis, does warrant over the average American citizen’s information actually help catch the perpetrator?

Only if statistics support the above questions, does it actually become worth the time, money and effort to even start rhetoric on the topic. The NSA already has the authority to raid personal information of people who are a cause for suspicion. If access to information about average citizens actually causes a shift in the paradigm of safety, perhaps it could be a viable discussion.

Part 2: Case-study: For the sake of the case-study, let us assume that research and statistics indicate that the NSA has acquired the rights to access information about the average American. However, if the majority does not agree on a common solution, the debate could go on forever. Any debate that has no end, has no purpose.

The purpose of a debate is always to solve the problem at hand, without letting any new problems arise or aggravating other existing problems. Any further analysis should concern whether or not access to information really does help in averting security threats. The solution should answer questions like:

Does access to the information of the average American citizen actually help pinpoint possible threats?

Is the NSA able to find a perpetrator or confirm evidence by accessing such information?

Part 3: The Solution: This is a unique situation that does not have an extensive historical reference, especially since the development of new communication methods. In order to fully test a solution like this, the government needs to either create a test group or test this solution over a small location. After collection of data, the solution needs to be consented to by a vote of the American population. However, before any such vote, the American population is morally obligated to know the results of any tests and its implications on their daily lives. An informed decision calls for fewer controversies. Fewer controversies help put a matter to rest once it is solved.