Wikidebates:Founding Principles
Wikidebates’s founding principles set up the guidelines which define the ways this encyclopedia was created and how operates. They are at the root of every rule and recommendation surrounding this project. These principles are exhaustivity, charity, non-partisanship, readability, impersonality, verifiability, free content, mutual respect and civility.
Principles regarding neutrality
Comprehensiveness
Are therefore inventoried on Wikidebates: minority assertions, inexact assertions, extremist, immoral or non-scientific assertions; so long as these can be assessed as existing in the public sphere, and that they do not go against the law. What matters is not that there be as many “for” and “against” assertions, but rather that each assertion be brought to the debate.
Charity
Thus, arguments must be formulated in their strongest and most convincing versions. In support of a claim, the bibliography, websites, videography and chosen quotes must favor solid arguments and quality sources. Arguments which are poor in content, dishonest, grossly exaggerated or distorted are not welcome on Wikidebates.
Non-partisanship
Thus, no argument indexed on Wikidebates is condoned by either the encyclopedia or its governing body. Arguments are referenced only insofar as they are supported by individuals or groups who express them publicly. No moral claim or judgement – explicit or implicit, positive or negative – can thus be expressed other than the arguments or rebuttals which are indexed, as well as the founding principles.
Principles regarding the encyclopedic nature of the project
Readability
Pages must respect a predefined presentation format focused on arguments. Arguments must be summarised using simple vocabulary and syntax, as well as be grouped by family when numerous. Each claim is expanded and developed in a specific separate page. Sub-debates, when complex, are to be treated as debates in their own right in distinct pages, to which the reader is guided if in desire to study the matter further.
Impersonality
Thus, Wikidebates should not reference claims formulated in ways such as “I believe that […]” or “So and so says that […]”, but rather directly what the claim is.
Verifiability
Thus, all arguments indexed must be attributed to an author or to a well identified group. If a claim being made is considered senseless by contributors, a sourced citation or quote is to be provided proving that such a claim is truly supported. Introductions to debates which contain quotes, numbers or obscure information must mention the source which supports them.
Principles regarding the collaborative nature of the project
Free content
Anyone is free to copy, modify and distribute Wikidebates content, under the condition that the source and licence be provided, and that produced/modified content remain under aforementioned licence. Added content must comply with copyright law.
Respect and civility
As a contributor, you are required to respect your fellow contributors, even when you disagree with them. You must remain polite, courteous and respectful. You are to seek consensus rather than being aggressive towards people, or formulating insulting generalisations. Keep your cool in the face of a heated argument, and avoid any “editing warfare”. Take part in the spirit of good faith, and assume that your fellow contributors are in the same mind-frame, unless it is obviously not the case. Try to be open, welcoming and friendly.
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