Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should there be a test to vote?
Position2 of 2
No, there shouldn't be a test to vote
Argument2 of 3

A voting test is likely to be biased so it should not be used

Biases are always present in people’s lives. Because of that, should people have a bias while voting?

The argument

Voting tests won’t reduce the amount of biased voters. Everyone has biases. Children grow up around parents and a community that shapes what they believe. Even a baby's brain picks up on social cues from their guardians. Biases can’t be avoided, so there’s no point to having voting tests.

Premises

[P1]A voting test would aim to reduce biased voters, but everyone holds biases shaped from childhood by family and community. [P2] Since bias is unavoidable and universal, a test could not screen it out. [P3] A test that cannot achieve its purpose serves no point. [C] Therefore, because a voting test would be biased and ineffective, there should not be a test to vote.

Counter-arguments

Even though everyone has a bias, people can put it aside to make important decisions. Since, other people won’t be willing to do that, it’s important to get as many unbiased people voting as possible.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Although everyone has some sort of bias, it can be “put away” to make important decisions.