Empowerment argument
The internet and related technologies empower people in an unprecedented way. People are overwhelmingly good. Therefore this new power will be used to promote the good, including freedom.


Eric Schmidt video slice from 5:50 to 7:00 of the original video. A transcript of what Schmidt says in this slice can be viewed in the Citations for this element (click the button below).

Schmidt's argument has three premises (represented in Debategraph by Assumption elements), each of which is obviously contestable. To paraphrase Schmidt:
  1. The internet empowers people
  2. People are overwhelmingly good
  3. Good people support freedom
Conclusion: The internet promotes freedom.

This is an example of what argument theorists term linked structure. None of the premises support the conclusion without the others - they act jointly. We have the Assumption element type in the Debategraph ontology to represent this construct. Note that Assumption elements are colored gray to signify that, by themselves each carries no weight, but in combination with the other co-premises constitutes an argument in support (green) or opposition (red).
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Technology: Oppressor or liberator? »Technology: Oppressor or liberator?
Does the internet favor dictators or dissenters? »Does the internet favor dictators or dissenters?
Optimistic view »Optimistic view
Empowerment argument
Good people support freedom »Good people support freedom
Internet empowers people »Internet empowers people
People are overwhelmingly good »People are overwhelmingly good
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