In the Collaboratorium, debates on key issues relevant to climate change will be structured by the Community into structured argument maps. Argument maps are generated by classifying ideas into four categories:

  • Issue
    A question of sufficient importance and relevance to warrant consideration by the Community.
  • Position
    An approach proposed for addressing an issue.
  • Arguments for (or Pro)
    A rationale for favoring a particular position.
  • Arguments against (or Con)
    A rationale for opposing a particular position.

Argument maps represent a systematic compilation of many people's insights on complex topics. These maps can serve as the basis for a well-founded collective decision making process, through voting or negotiation.

By using argument maps and voting or negotiation, groups can decide more intelligently between the many options available to them.

For more on the advantages of argument maps, you can watch this YouTube video.

To learn more about how argument maps are created in the system and how they will work in the launch version, see:

Return to What the Collaboratorium is

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