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Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling

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Debate Topics, Challenges and Scheduling

Interlocutor
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1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 11:50 AM:	#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 - 06:44 PM

Klaatu
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Posted 04/20/04 - 12:04 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
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Posted 04/20/04 - 12:24 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".

Interlocutor
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0 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 12:56 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
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1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 01:00 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
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Posted 04/20/04 - 01:37 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
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1 of 2 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 06:13 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
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1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 06:19 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
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1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 06:50 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
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0 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 04/20/04 - 07:03 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! - Søren 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. - Søren Kierkegaard

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