Not only does increasing your knowledge of philosophy make the case-writing and researching qualitatively easier; it offers you a foundation for and an insight into arguments you might not otherwise explore, opposing positions you might not otherwise expect, and a grasp of the resolution you might not otherwise find. Philosophy is a wide world of thought and discussion, ranging from metaphysics to epistemology to political theory to ethics and beyond. Philosophers are the minds that give life to these topics, wondering abstractly while often commenting quite practically on what good government means or how to live life more virtuously or how we as a nation should act toward other nations. When confronted with propositions of what ought to happen (as every debater is), who better to turn to than these minds that have likely pondered the very same proposition or one much like it? The Philosopher's Guide is an attempt to introduce anyone involved in the debate community to Classic, Enlightenment, and contemporary views on a wide range of philosophical subjects, including moral, political, economic, and international relations theory as well as perspectives from Existential, Feminist, and Post-Modern perspectives. 

Notice that it is indeed an introduction. Think of this book as a springboard into those philosophical disciplines that are most relevant to Lincoln-Douglas debate. In other words, it is not alone sufficient reading, especially if one's goal is to excel at philosophical aspects of debate. It should be used as a guide that fosters further reading, helping you to understand terms, concepts, references, and a great deal of general content that ensues in your search for more understanding. It can be a daunting task to approach a philosophical work with no clue as to its context, what it's really about, what others have said about it, etc. Even as an experienced reader of philosophy, it remains daunting to read philosophy first-hand. The added commentary by those who have read the philosophers already and read others' comments can be an invaluable asset for debaters no matter what grade or skill level they're at. And even more importantly, this guide comes to you from people who have walked in your footsteps and actually had to debate about philosophy. You can get an overview on Kant anywhere, but knowing how to talk about him in a debate round is what makes the difference. Each overview in the Philosopher's Guide contains a section explaining just how a philosopher or philosophy can be used in debate. From case writing to research to rebuttals, this book is an advantage both competitively and educationally... and it makes that whole preparation thing a lot easier.