John Paul writes:
If you are not going to read the book that's OK. Just don't go around saying that these issues haven't been addressed.
That would be a lie.
Hmmm. Let's see. Debater excerpts something from a book, then asserts that only those who have read the book can challenge the statements from the excerpt.
How convenient it would be if arguments cited from outside sources weren't open to challenge until the original source was consulted. And how slow debate would become if debaters had to find and read a book before they could address any excerpted material.
The responsibility for responding to rebuttals lies with those who advanced the original argument. Debaters may consult whatever materials they like when formulating their arguments, but there is certainly no requirement upon other debaters to consult the same material. Besides, if such were permitted it would simply become a favorite evasive technique: "You haven't read the book, therefore you're not qualified to comment."
I don't think we'll do things that way here. Anyone may respond to any argument regardless of what materials they may have read or consulted. Arguments and evidence should be judged upon their merits, and not upon what books someone may or may not have read.
--Percy