Originally Posted by Old Dad
Careful there... your question
Yes, Socratic method. Possibly no right answer, only opinion, and yet a prevailing opinion may become policy and exert influence.

Quote
One side says, "We need to invest in the future by investing in our best and brightest"


The other side says, "Why do I want to invest in our best and brightest? Our best and brightest need to invest in themselves as they'll be the ones who reap the financial reward and can afford to pay it back."

Neither thought pattern is "wrong".....both have logical thought patterns.
Agreed. Underlying the viewpoints may be various blends of free-market, capitalism, managed-economy, socialism. Additionally when discussing free college tuition, there may be more than two sides... free college for some? ...for all? ...to what level of education? ...who decides?

There may be a balance between "free" (meaning without cost at point of service) and "free" (meaning self-determining).