Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling: Philosophy Forums

Philosophy Forums » Debates » Debate Discussion » Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling » Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling

Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling

Interlocutor
Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 23, 2002
Total Topics: 41
Total Posts: 879

1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 12:50 PM:	#1
Here is a list of debate topics. I know there are many, many more. If anyone wants to debate any of these topics, make a note of it (providing which position you want to take) below, so that anyone seeking to debate may contact you to set it up. Or if you wish to challenge another member, make a note of that as well. Everyone is welcome to suggest topics. I will add the good ones to the list. General •Whether there is a fundamental rift between science and religion. •Whether medieval philosophy was a positive step in the history of philosophy. •Whether human beings are of greater value than animals. •Whether human beings have free will. •Whether a fetus is a person. •Whether life has intrinsic value. •Whether Zombies are Possible Metaphysics/Epistemology •Whether there exists a supreme being. •Whether objects exist in and of themselves. •Whether infinite causal regress is possible. •Whether cause and effect is a necessary metaphysic. •Whether there exists an uncaused cause. •Whether human beings have an individuated existence beyond physical death. •Whether there exists absolute truth. •Whether a priori knowledge is possible. •Whether truth exists in a deterministic universe. •Whether being without form is possible. •Whether human knowledge must be given by a higher being. •Whether it is true that if an infinite being is possible, it must exist. •Whether truth is the correspondence of the mind with reality. •Whether it is possible to know if God exists. •Whether mind is a distinct substance from body. •Whether experience is the only source of knowledge. •Whether consciousness plays an active role in the world. •Whether knowledge may be gained through faith alone. •Whether matter is the only reality. •Whether the non-material is the only reality. •Whether mere appearances are the only objects of knowledge. •Whether the world exists outside the self. •Whether determinism is incompatible with freedom. •Whether there is substance. Ethics •Whether morality is absolute. •Whether morality is absolute without the existence of God. •Whether eating meat is ethical. •Whether homosexuality is ethical. •Whether suicide can ever be ethical. •Whether euthanasia can ever be ethical. •Whether abortion is ethical. •Whether hunting animals for sport is ethical. •Whether happiness of the individual should be the chief goal of ethics. •Whether there exist any intrinsic human values. •Whether virtue is sufficient for happiness. •Whether the happiness of others ought to be the primary motivator for moral action. •Whether cloning humans is ethical. Logic •Whether logic is objective. Religion and Mysticism •Whether God exists. •Whether spirits exist. •Whether angels (or demons) exist. •Whether there is such a thing as a singular correct religion. •Whether religion is a positive social institution. •Whether an omnipotent, omni-benevolent God and evil can be reconciled. •Whether creationism provides a valid explanation for the state of the known universe. •Whether the atheistic or the agnostic position is more tenable. •Whether God is active in his creation. •Whether the universe is divine. •Whether speculative reason can discover the existence of God. •Whether spirit is the only reality. Philosophy of Language •Whether language is necessary for thought. •Whether words and concepts have objective meaning. Philosophy of Science and Math •Whether Zeno’s Paradox proves that there is no real relative change. •Whether the universe is full of intelligent life. •Whether a paradigmatic interpretation of science is valid. •Whether matter is composed of a singular type of smallest, sub-atomic particles. Philosophy of Politics and Law •Whether the two-party system is preferable to a multi-party political system. •Whether democracy is the ideal form of government. •Whether capital punishment is a just social institution. •Whether capitalism is a just socio-economic model. •Whether affirmative action is a just social institution. •Whether terrorism can ever be justified. •Whether voting in a fundamentally flawed political system is worthwhile. •Whether illegal drugs should be made legal. •Whether the drinking age should be lowered or eliminated. •Whether more taxes should be levied against the wealthy. •Whether the state should provide universal healthcare. •Whether the US governments’ prohibition on limiting the right of the people, under the Second Amendment, to carry and bear arms, should be removed from the Constitution. •Whether there should be any qualification for voting. •Whether the concerns of the individual should take precedence over the concerns of the many. •Whether conservatism or liberalism is a more tenable social philosophy. •Whether there is such a thing as a just war. •Whether in the realm of leadership, it is better to appear good and just than to be good and just. •Whether liberty comes to humankind by nature, or if it is granted by society. •Whether the general mass of humanity should rule itself, or should be ruled by the elite. Current Events •Whether homosexuals should be allowed to marry. •Whether mandatory military service would be worthwhile. •Whether “under God” should be stricken from the Pledge of Allegience. Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology •Whether the current state and progression of humanity is leading towards a higher social order, or relative social destruction. •Whether children should be educated in any specific religion. •Whether marriage is worthwhile social institution. •Whether the family unit is a worthwhile social institution. Philosophy of the Arts •Whether there is a superior art form. •Whether beauty is objective. Edited by Paul on 06/24/06 - 07:44 PM

Klaatu
Aspirant

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 11, 2003
Location: In between
Total Topics: 24
Total Posts: 20

Posted 04/20/04 - 01:04 PM:	#2
I'll be eligible for debate in a few weeks. Pleased to debate on any issue in aesthetics, and on other topics too as long as I am at least familiar with the arguments.

Paul
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Administrators
Joined: Mar 10, 2002
Location: California
Total Topics: 451
Total Posts: 11511

Posted 04/20/04 - 01:24 PM:	#3
You don't appear to have "Whether determinism is compatable with free will" in metaphysics... which would be the one I'd probably be most interested in. For logic you can alway try the basic "Whether logic is objective", and for language "Whether language is necessary for thought".
_____________________ "If a statement is made, it is to be confronted with the totality of existing statements. If it agrees with them, it is joined to them; if it does not agree, it is called 'untrue' and rejected; or the existing complex of statements of science is modified so that the new statement can be incorporated." - Otto Neurath

Interlocutor
Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 23, 2002
Total Topics: 41
Total Posts: 879

0 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 01:56 PM:	#4
Yeah, I actually meant to put the determinism/free will one in there, but forgot. Coming up with good language and logic debates is difficult (for me at least), so any suggestions are appreciated. I don't know how interested people would be in them anyway.

sensabile
Raisy Daisy...

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Sep 23, 2003
Location: Southern England
Total Topics: 130
Total Posts: 4184

1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 02:00 PM:	#5
Interlocutor wrote: Yeah, I actually meant to put the determinism/free will one in there, but forgot. Coming up with good language and logic debates is difficult (for me at least), so any suggestions are appreciated. I don't know how interested people would be in them anyway. For Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology, I would suggest a debate on altruism and egoism.
_____________________ For the winner there was a big three-legged cauldron to stand over a fire - it was worth a dozen oxen by the Greek's reckoning - and for the loser he brought forward a woman thoroughly trained in domestic work whom they valued at four oxen. -Homer's The Illiad Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? -Mark 9:50

ThusSpokeZarathustra
banned

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 13, 2003
Location: University of Missouri-Columbia
Total Topics: 26
Total Posts: 1049

Posted 04/20/04 - 02:37 PM:	#6
School is out in less than a month, I just hope the topics I wish to debate haven't been taken by then....

Stringjeans
Assistant Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Mar 04, 2004
Location: Columbus Ohio United States
Total Topics: 19
Total Posts: 421

1 of 2 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 07:13 PM:	#7
For metaphysics and epistemology (or maybe philosophy of language), what about a question like: "Can an object or event be defined in and of itself, or is it necessary to define it using relative terms and ideas?"
_____________________ Every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

select
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Total Topics: 89
Total Posts: 1183

1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 07:19 PM:	#8
How about, "Whether there is substance?" or is that the same as, "Do objects exist in and of themselves?"
_____________________ "To create man was a fine and original idea; but to add sheep was a tautology." Mark Twain

GreenFleshyFlower
Assistant Professor

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Dec 05, 2003
Total Topics: 32
Total Posts: 330

1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 07:50 PM:	#9
Wow, keep this thread going. I can use these in my philosophy club at school. I've had some rather stagnant time for topics and these will help a good deal. How about for logic: "Can a logical proof reflect the state of the real world?"

Poor Yorick
Ex Nihilo Philosopher

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Mar 28, 2003
Location: Alpha Quadrant
Total Topics: 54
Total Posts: 344

0 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 08:03 PM:	#10
Just some questions I was thinking about: Philosophy of Art: Is censorship correct? Philosophy of Science: Are space and time continuous/relative? Is time irreversible? Is motion always relative to another body? Does time flow? Logic: Is Decision Theory or Game Theory better in making the best choice?
_____________________ I perhaps did right in submitting my aphorism to a systematic appraiser. Perhaps something may come of it, a footnote in [a philosophical system] -- great idea! Then I would not have lived in vain! - S�ren Kierkegaard I am so stupid that I cannot understand philosophy; the antithesis of this is that philosophy is so clever that it cannot comprehend my stupidity. These antitheses are mediated in a higher unity: in our common stupidity. - S�ren Kierkegaard

select
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Total Topics: 89
Total Posts: 1183

1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/21/04 - 02:05 PM:	#11
I'd be willing to argue for teleological ethics, if anyone is interested.
_____________________ "To create man was a fine and original idea; but to add sheep was a tautology." Mark Twain

Jay
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 04, 2003
Total Topics: 14
Total Posts: 1578

Posted 04/21/04 - 03:27 PM:	#12
ThusSpokeZarathustra wrote: School is out in less than a month, I just hope the topics I wish to debate haven't been taken by then.... Likewise. But I'm sure the same topics can be re-argued by new contenders... I guess we will have to wait and see right?

king-of-no-pants
Assistant Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Mar 22, 2004
Location: Michigan
Total Topics: 19
Total Posts: 299

0 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/21/04 - 03:41 PM:	#13
Jay wrote: Likewise. But I'm sure the same topics can be re-argued by new contenders... I guess we will have to wait and see right? I think we should let people debate things again (nobody from the original debate can participate) but there has to be a concideral gap from the original debate, so nobody is influenced TOO much from the original debate.
_____________________ We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody ever tell you different. -Kurt Vonnegut

Jay
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 04, 2003
Total Topics: 14
Total Posts: 1578

Posted 04/21/04 - 03:50 PM:	#14
king-of-no-pants wrote: I think we should let people debate things again (nobody from the original debate can participate) but there has to be a concideral gap from the original debate, so nobody is influenced TOO much from the original debate. Indeed, but that is ultimatly up to the mods... I wonder however, will there be group debates?

Interlocutor
Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 23, 2002
Total Topics: 41
Total Posts: 879

1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/21/04 - 05:31 PM:	#15
Getting two people together to do this is difficult enough. There's no telling how a group debate would work, or even if it would work in any way prescribed. But if you want to participate in such a thing, feel free to find the groups, and then I'll help you hammer out the details.

RandomPrecision
Divisible by 3

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Oct 06, 2003
Location: Elsewhere
Total Topics: 38
Total Posts: 1383

Posted 04/21/04 - 06:53 PM:	#16
Jay wrote: Indeed, but that is ultimatly up to the mods... I wonder however, will there be group debates? It's like sex: If a group of people want to, and everyone's okay with it, why not?

Jay
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 04, 2003
Total Topics: 14
Total Posts: 1578

Posted 04/21/04 - 10:12 PM:	#17
Interlocutor wrote: Getting two people together to do this is difficult enough. There's no telling how a group debate would work, or even if it would work in any way prescribed. But if you want to participate in such a thing, feel free to find the groups, and then I'll help you hammer out the details. I intend to try and get far more engaged once I finish up the remaining essays due. It seems that this idea was begun at a bad period, at least for me. Not that I procrastinate, but the final term papers are always all bunched together... Btw, I'm quite sure I am not the only one in this scenario, and I hope that once people are more availible it will be easier to get the ball rolling so to speak. This idea can only work, at least in my opinion, if it generates a strong enough impetus of its own so that when people return to their full-time studies, the interest will be high enough that members will be volunteering more frequently then they appear to be doing now. But I guess time will tell... Random Precision wrote: It's like sex: If a group of people want to, and everyone's okay with it, why not? How often are you lucky enough for that? It's hard enough getting a menage a trois , let alone a group...

TheMessiahTM
Graduate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Mar 25, 2004
Location: Michigan
Total Topics: 5
Total Posts: 215

Posted 04/24/04 - 04:05 PM:	#18
Interlocutor wrote: Getting two people together to do this is difficult enough. There's no telling how a group debate would work, or even if it would work in any way prescribed. But if you want to participate in such a thing, feel free to find the groups, and then I'll help you hammer out the details. Groups could work together to come up with and argument, then a spokeperson from each group could post the argument. That keeps there from being the chaos of normal threads with more than one debate happenening at once. I'd be very interested in participating in a group debate.
_____________________ "Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet." - Napoleon Bonaparte I Hate Pat Robertson

DarkCloud
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 12, 2002
Total Topics: 156
Total Posts: 2695

Posted 04/24/04 - 05:17 PM:	#19
good work getting this listing up and managing things, Interlocutor!

unrealist42
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jan 06, 2003
Location: City of Dreams
Total Topics: 6
Total Posts: 1941

Posted 04/30/04 - 06:46 PM:	#20
Groups could have their own threads where they could hammer out their positions which would then be posted to the debate. The groups could either be closed or open, subject to consensus, majority vote, or ruled by dictators. These could prove to be more interesting than the debates themselves, especially with firm deadlines for posting to the debate.

Liberepublicat
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Feb 12, 2004
Location: Kansas
Total Topics: 41
Total Posts: 1261

Posted 04/30/04 - 08:37 PM:	#21
DarkCloud wrote: good work getting this listing up and managing things, Interlocutor! I'll second that. Thanks, Interlocutor. My first knee-jerk reaction in observing these one-on-one debates flounder and then stir onlooker disdain was: here's a novel idea... how about some follow-thru on commitment. But, in retrospect, that is probably simplistic. Just because someone may spend hours a day here on this forum doesn't mean that they have the same kind of time/energy required to write a critically reviewed essay every day AND spend their same self-allotted time here. While I may still maintain that it is poor time-management planning, it is completely understandable. It makes me wonder if debates would be more successful (i.e. "completed") if they had a radically shorter word limit. All the peripheral discussion is the ultimate fallout of any debating scheme anyway, so why not limit the meat of the debate to something less daunting for the combatants? They would only need to choose their few words carefully. Let the ratio between brevity and cogency rule the day. PS: Let the debates be between people who are already predisposed to debate -- people who already believe in their respective positions; or, people who seem to have a perceived distance from each other. Let there be challenges.

dreamweaver
Web we Weave

Usergroup: Administrators
Joined: Nov 29, 2003
Location: London, UK
Total Topics: 19
Total Posts: 2031

Posted 05/01/04 - 03:28 AM:	#22
Liberepublicat wrote: Let there be challenges. I think challenges are a decent way to starting up debate; indeed, one of the only ways. However, I don't think that challenges as such are to be made in public. If you want to debate with someone, you could contact Interlocutor or that particular member by PM or email; then, if it is agreed, you can go right ahead. I don't think the idea of �public challenges� is that much of a good idea; particularly when there are other ways.

Liberepublicat
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Feb 12, 2004
Location: Kansas
Total Topics: 41
Total Posts: 1261

Posted 05/01/04 - 06:01 AM:	#23
dreamweaver wrote: I think challenges are a decent way to starting up debate; indeed, one of the only ways. However, I don't think that challenges as such are to be made in public. If you want to debate with someone, you could contact Interlocutor or that particular member by PM or email; then, if it is agreed, you can go right ahead. I don't think the idea of “public challenges” is that much of a good idea; particularly when there are other ways. Pardon. Perhaps you are right.

Interlocutor
Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 23, 2002
Total Topics: 41
Total Posts: 879

Posted 05/01/04 - 06:03 PM:	#24
It makes me wonder if debates would be more successful (i.e. "completed") if they had a radically shorter word limit. That could be tried, but I would prefer not to. If it were done, I'm not sure there would be much of anything to distinguish such a thing from a typical thread. The purpose of formal debates really is the development of detailed arguments and in depth analysis and refutation. You really can't do that very well with such limitations.

select
Tenured Poster

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Dec 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Total Topics: 89
Total Posts: 1183

Posted 05/01/04 - 06:18 PM:	#25
So is there going to be another debate or are we waiting for the current debates to conclude?
_____________________ "To create man was a fine and original idea; but to add sheep was a tautology." Mark Twain

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

You don't have permission to post.

Please login or register.