Philosophy Debate Topics for Students — page 29

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• Con's Irrelevancies This debate regards a disputed quote from Con, "a true [free] thinking person would never stay within the confines of a single unproven belief system" [1] ... it is this claim that I challenged him in forum and subsequent formal debate. Notice Con just…
• Con's Irrelevencies Note the resolution, "One can't prove logic is a reliable guide to truth" ... also note my central claim, that "any argument that attempts to prove that logic is a reliable guide to truth necessarily uses logic in a way that is circular." Now I made it…

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• Definitional side? I'm unsure as to what you mean here. My claim is that most of your attacks try to pin me to an action that will result in an awful society. What I'm saying is that you can't make these attacks because you are implicitly assuming the principle of utility.…
• YaleMM thank you for your response. //Utility Monster (I've always preferred monster to vampire.) This seems to be the strategy of attacks against utilitarianism. Frequently people go to great extent to find a thought experiment that is not only highly unlikely (in a…

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• I must agree that humans are much more self aware than lesser animals, But disagree with your statement about human's being less programmed than animals. The Prefrontal cortex(part of the brain that allows conscious thought) in humans is far more developed allowing us to…
• You are quite right sir, but for one small detail. what is being debated is not directly the ability to value another over oneself, But the ability to do so based on agape(deep love). My 2 point approach was to point out that 1. humans are able to value others more than…

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• Nope, done. I have shown the necessity of the Classics over the feebleness of "The New." I have proven with reason that anything "New" must FIRST get its foundations from the "Classical." Additionally, my opponent has ... bowed out? thrown in the towel? waved the white flag?…
• The point of classics (and especially the point that they are better) is that they provide a firmer foundation for "the new." The Classics provide us with those essentials which make "The New" longer-lasting, deeper. For this debate, consider ART, LANGUAGE, MUSIC, and…

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• " I was not referring to an action that was made incorectly, but a person who CAN be rational but chooses not to be rational in pursuit of a moral action." By definition, the choice to not be rational is incompatible with discovering what is right or wrong. Rationality is the…
• " Now you define people as a class of animals that is CAPABLE of free, rational action. Therefore, a person need not always be rational, simply have the ability. So a person can make a moral decision with out being rational. "" They can attempt to make one, if they make it…

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• My opponent claims that a human mind is not void of ego during a state of unconsciousness. Rebuttal: "With this discussion, we are dealing with a humans mental state and not the physical state. With that said, for a human to be freed or liberated, the subject would need to be…
• Thank you I appreciate you for your clarification of the definition of ego. This clarificiation makes this debate more interesting and more challenging than I originally anticipated. Now that the terms are defined, I will be arguing that a human can truly be liberated from…

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• Thanks for the response, ToughEnough. "My opponent seems to be confusing concern for some supernatural thing independent of biology or logic." I have no idea what this means. I don't believe in anything supernatural nor did I ever indicate that I did. In fact, I haven't claimed…
• Much thanks to my opponent. Also, a quick clarification on the burden of proof... Yes, generally when I claim is a made, the individual who makes the claim has the burden of proof. In this case, I'm making a negative claim - that is, I'm denying something generally accepted to…

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• It is said that time is the 4th dimention. If that's true, if time exists, then we can at least know that time is not a dimension. Given line X a point is free to move along that line. Where then is time? The 2nd dimention? Given plane plane XY there is a point that is free to…
• I disagree that the rearrangement of the atoms in my miniverse prove or creates time. Due to the way the universe was created we always see cause before effect. Because of this we must speak in terms of "before" and "after" but that's merely a convenience for decribing the…

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• con seems to be going on a hard to decipher rant. con says God is inferior to his moral rules. i think a reason con gives is because his rules are arbitrary. God's rules are not arbitrary, he is the arbiter of truth, anything else would be arbitrary. and this debate isn't so…
• con argues about giving relative points.... but i was arguing about arbitrary. does he plain out assert that truth is arbitrary? con argues mroality changes over time. even if it did that doesn't mean truth is arbitrary. it means some truths we perceive to be might be…

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• 1. This debate is about if you should base most your fundamental beliefs, and everyday lives, upon Science (Knowledge gained by observation). If you want to talk about religion, I'll make a new debate after this one and put you as the opponent. 2. I'm saying that, facts about…
• Of course you can be certain about things in Science, but, again, that is only human interpretation. It's correct to us partly because the limitations in our minds. In regards to religion, people that believe in whatever they believe for an incorrect reason are just plainly…

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• So I've seen that some prominent atheists like Logicked and Sam Harris believe in objective morality so I wanted to give my own opinion and explain why objective morality does not exist: 1. Not all cultures have the same moral values. Except for murder, theft and rape, many…
• This is not only targeted at religious people. I've seen many atheists and agnostics that claim there to be an existence of objective morality. I will argue it's all subjective. Rules: 1. Round 1: acceptance, 2. No insults, 3. That's it.

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• Thank you for your reply. If you look at all the moral codes, all of them eventually will lead to moral consequences from actions. When you stated "It is equally possible that no one will find out if he murdered the rapist", does it matter if someone will find out? No it does…
• You are assuming that "stealing" is morally wrong in some society. But what if every person can take other people"s belongings and all of them share their things in that society. Again, every action contributes to the society and that is through their actions which eventually…

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• Epicurean Paradox Requires OmniscienceIf god lacks the power to prevent evil because god lacks the power to know everything then god is not omnipotent as god lacks the power to know everything. If god lacks the power to know everything then god is not omnipotent because god…
• DefinitionsBenevolence : "the quality of being well meaning; kindness" [1]Omnipotence: "(Of a deity) having unlimited power:" [2]Mutually exclusive: "of or pertaining to a situation involving two or more events, possibilities, etc., in which the occurrence of one precludes the…

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• When you commit crimes such as murder, or popping a check, or stealing someone"s identity at first you"re so happy but later you feel the pain and the people that you did this against feel it. When you murder someone it is obvious they feel pain but also it takes a toll on…
• In order for your car to have to get fixed someone must have had to make the car and that wasn't pleasant for them. Children making your clothes in foreign countries aren"t happy at all but they have to do it in order to survive. Kids are underpaid and work in brutal…

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• Like I said, we capture animals, put them in man-made habitats, and then watch the animals for fun.
• Extend arguments.

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• Ach, I simply must find someone to talk with this about. Sure I could try another site for a more active forum, But I am fond of this site. So to the debate section I go! Pretty much, In this debate I take the side that immortality, Existing, Being alive should be held as one…
• Haa, Yeah, That's the reasonable thing I'm thinking too. But despite reason, People have desire. I'll agree it's incredibly selfish and unrealistic with our 'current technology. But a hundred years from now? Two hundred and so on? I don't expect it in the next five or ten…

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• You forfeit... *shrugs*Okay so I'll make just one argument:Uniformity is more important than individuality because if it is not true, everything we know about history and the universe is flawed in some way.That would mess up a lot of things!It could also lead to total mayhem on…
• Hello, I will be arguing, "uniformity ought to be valued above individuality" as I am currently PRO. First off, I need to be coached, I am the worst debator on earth and don't know logic!

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• A tree which falls int eh forest is not guaranteed to make a sound. I am not a skeptic, nor am I a supporter, enthusiast or entertainer of skepticism. A tree which fall in the forest does not make a sound if no one is there to hear it, I simply reply, "What did you hear? Did…
• Seemingly my opponent (Pro) has chosen the easier, scientifically sound, reasonable solution to this philosophical debate, leaving me to indicate that such an assumption is not only wrong, but that the conclusion he is attempting to reach is also therefor wrong. First: One can…

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• "While I admit there are situations where the exact action is not clear" con seems to be admitting that sometime the golden rule is not clear. con says it is though more a part of the failure of the person to know who they want to be treated. even if this is the case, as my…
• con first argues the golden rule is clear, but he is only referring in that instance that the rule is stated clearly. i agree with that. that's why i said 'in application' in the opening statement resolution, it's not clear. con does a lot of 'it's clear but what you do is ask…

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• In bold will be points made by my opponent, in bold and italics will be direct quotes RE: Multiple socialist parties are authoritarian However, these authoritarian socialist parties do not have a monopoly and what the ideology of socialism means. There are also many parties…
• The first five paragraphs of my opponent's argument relies on that the libertarian and socialist parties of the United States represents and defines what libertarianism and socialism are. Therefore, refuting that one point would refute the first five paragraphs. Now, to claim…

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• Debating rules are set in the parameters of the individual debate. You must have missed (or ignored) the explicit parameter set in my debate terms that this was a debate intent on pursuing Truth. You seem more intent on trolling. Your answers are short and harsh, and make…
• I think that ContraDictator brings up some good points. Specifically, the question posed "Are all orderly beings equally moral?" seems relevant, and ignored by me. I think the only option I have is to answer no. ContraDictator noted that the Nazis (who I considered to be evil),…

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• (I note that my opponent says I made an argument without supporting evidence. I'll try to correct that, but I cant suppress You Tube thumb nails, so the page looks rather ugly. I apologise, and hope the readers can parse out where the links should go.) Well, first- it is a fact…
• Thank you for offering this debate, I am happy to accept. Among other things, it gives me an excuse to listen to this extraordinary song again, and to clear up a misconception Con holds in common with many people who criticize atheistic/ skeptical/ free thought. John Lennon…

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• My opponent has failed to argue me in the second round.
• Of course, every plot of civilized land ought to have some sort of order. Do not take this debate as me saying the constitution is not important, it is the most important document of our time. It is the document that sets the United States of America apart from other nations.…

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• While I appreciate and respect my opponent for taking on this difficult topic, I am disappointed that my opponent has forfeited her/his round. This inaction of my opponent means that (s)he either concedes to or drops all of my previous arguments. Judge, please extend all of the…
• Thank you so much for accepting! I look forward to what I'm sure will be a fun and educational debate. That pure knowledge is often portrayed as something objective strikes me as ironic, since the objective is opposite understanding. Objectivity by nature requires the…

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• Ultimately, face-to-face communication is more essential than texting is. If the electricity goes out for an extended period of time, there will be no power to text. If an electromagnetic pulse bomb goes off, or a geomagnetic storm disrupts life on Earth, texting may be…
• When I use the word "legitimate," I may be using it in sense 2 of Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, located at https://www.merriam-webster.com.... This sense relates to being true, sincere, and genuine. It seems I'm not using the word "legitimate" in the "conforming to law"…

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• If you've made it to this point, you've done some major scrolling to get here. I would like to thank you on behalf of both the government and the opposition for taking the time to read through our debate. REBUTTAL Opp claims Kant is okay with lying in certain situations because…
• The opposition has chosen Kant to stand against Utilitarianism and has twisted about three scenarios for you where Kant seems to be preferable (though it is not so), yet he curiously left my main arguments untouched. My personal style is to first remind you of my arguments,…

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• 1. The debate should be impossible to accept. Finding a way to accept without permission will result in an automatic loss for Con. If you would like to accept, please say so in the comments section, and I will challenge you in a few days. 4. By accepting the debate, Con agrees…
• .. however, I will specifically address his concerns regarding what he perceives to be "multiple contradictory positions" in A1, since that is a more appropriate place to do so in terms of organization. == NEG CASE == If I can successfully refute all of Con's objections to the…

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• So do you think that suppression can work? IT IS NOT NECESSARY THE CASE THAT a man have to use suppression to control his state of mind. Aristotle mentioned that some emotions if well used serve as an arms. Probably he used it as example in self-defend in a moment of he needs…
• according to ARISTOTLE feelings are a big fact to change man as to effect their judgments, a man can also expect to be specially respected by his inferior in birth, in capacity, in goodness, and generally in anything in which he is much their superior as where money concern a…

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• I am going to take a stance supporting NDE's and favoring them for evidence of an afterlife. FYI, this is my first debate and hope I'll do well.
• "If Pro could refrain from the childish "us vs them" behavior, let's keep it civil, no need to use skeptics as a pejorative." My apologies but what? That's not what I'm trying to do at all. I'm a huge skeptic of most of the paranormal but not those close-minded ones that reject…

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• Since the Con is either forfeiting or not addressing my arguments, there is no point in continuing. I believe I have won this debate but I will repost it in order to find a better Con. Let me know in the comments if you'd like to be the next one.
• I'm sorry but I've only read your first two paragraphs because I was hoping for a serious debate and you've disappointed me greatly. I'll repost this debate as soon as it is over and hope for a better Con.Regarding the first paragraph... Hippocrates actually said "Practise two…

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• It is true that is was entirely Socrates choice to drink the hemlock. He chooses to uphold his moral code, even if Athens" justice system failed him. Socrates" trial was not a just one and the jury had already made their decision before the trial had even started. However, if…
• Although Socrates was falsely accused and convicted of a crime he did not commit he still should drink the hemlock. Socrates chose to live in Athens, which means that he has agreed to the Athenian laws and by extent their justice system and how they administer justice. In The…

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• I will try to sum up my final arguments here in this round. [1] My opponent states that objective truth and subjective truth can exist independent of each other. .. But this is not the case in actuality. Thinking of an existence where there are no subjects is not true to…
• You have earned my complete respect as your opponent by not using semantics. You seem very intelligent. .. May the best man win. [1] My opponent states that. .. "objective truth can exist independent of human apprehension and is thus in no way contingent upon subjective truth…

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• And sorry if these arguments don't flow well. First to define valuable from Merriam Webster 2 a: having desirable or esteemed characteristics or qualities b: of great use or service . http://www.merriam-webster.com... Next in looking at this resolution we have to see that it…
• To road map this next round first I'm going to defend my number 1 argument then over view all the arguments then go into detail. 1. This is probably the most important point in this debate because it set the ground that we should be debating. To restate what I said before we…

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• My opponent has forfeited his round. Vote Pro. Forfeit, you lose.
• I hope that this will be a fun one, as this is my second debate. First, let me address my opponent's arguments. "Self critique can lead to advantages later. It may push to do more with your life then settle for what's ever around. " I agree. Self critique can lead to advantages…

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• PRO: If we are puppets, who is the puppet master? God? But Sam Harris is an atheist.CON: I think you may have taken that out of context. It means puppet to causality! It means that you are free as long as you do not care how your decision was made (free will or not) I think…
• CON: "A puppet is free as long as he loves his strings"- Sam HarrisIf we are puppets, who is the puppet master? God? But Sam Harris is an atheist. CON: Free will implies no constraints.No, free will does not imply no constraints. Having free will does not mean we are…

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• in waking state body and mind co ordinates . experience and experience r are preset. where as experiences takes place in dream state, when body is n aware. i totally insists that our body is having a alarming system to know our inner feelings like, fear, emotions, health…
• dream interpretation is an un known phenomenon. if it is revealed with clarity we can take adequate steps to stream line our life how as to lead a coordinated life. we wonder at the people how much they are curious and believe in dream inter pretation

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• When humans say provable it is an attempt to make our irrational world rational. but it is irrational still the same. Nothing is for certin.
• I must refute your arguemnt that i am forgeting the basic nature of science. is not the basic nature of science is that it is allways changing and evolving in acordance with the newest deiscoveries? newton proved plato wrong and einsetin proved newton wrong and now they think…

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• does a non existent thing exist? thing=existence might exist does not exist because it might also not exist.. my neighbour might be wearing a micky mouse hat that was just designed and came in the stores to buy, but is he? so your neighbours are alive and didnt just die in some…
• a thing exist that dosnt exist? i bet you cant sense your neighbour right now

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• Thank you for posting your next argument. My argument will be short, seeing I have already made my point. My opponent has admitted that babies bones, flesh, ect, do get bigger. This is obviously a change. If you would have read my definition you would have clearly seen that…
• Thank you for posting your argument. My opponent believes that people never change. There are two ways of proving this wrong. Change: To make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone. I will…

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• What makes it wrong to kill a human being? It"s how you feel that makes you feel that way to other societies it is normal. There is nothing abnormal about killing someone. Why would you justify a rapist being murdered if you don"t agree with it? So you"re basically having a…
• If someone you knew was rape you wouldn"t want to their rapist to be punished. Why do you think it is okay for them to live? It is morally wrong to rape people in some societies however, in some rapist mind they believe what they are doing is correct. So in society who decides…

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• "Religiosity-"excessively, obtrusively, or sentimentally religious" Merriam-Webster Religion- "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith" You forgot one: Christianity: The belief in Jesus Christ as Savior of the world and son of God Obviously, in the…
• "Religion, whether it is good or bad epistemology, is more than epistemology. It is a moral, cultural, and psychological system that has many uses in society..." There are many problems with your 'case' here. Most of them concern the flagrant inaccuracies in your comparative…

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• yea
• i dont hear no ding man

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• well,I think they are easily cheated because if u know people who enter the film industry always have to go through many things (well I don't think I need to explain the problems) even when they are talented,they have to suffer a lot. agreed that's not always the case but it…
• okay can you site some examples

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• Sad! fin
• gg

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• Thank you for your swift response. THERE are two ways that I have formulated the argument, as both ways are sound and basically the same; though different wording. If God exists, then by definition he is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. If the above proposition (that…
• I thank my partner for his opening reply and his clarification. This debate focuses on the Problem of Evil and the Problem of Hell. As I was beginning to prepare for this debate, my biggest trouble was what to leave out. There is so much that needs to be covered in only 8000…

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• It is in fact the case that 1 = 0.999. .. I take issue with the following assertion, however. "So somewhere down the line of 9's in .999 repeating there must be a nonexistent 1 to turn the whole mess into 1. " That is without basis. More generally, the symbols we use to…
• The Mathematical Universe Hypothesis (proposed by cosmologist Max Tegmark) can be explained as follows: 1) Mathematical reality exists independently of our universe. That is, 2+2 = 4, regardless of our existence or that of our universe. I will posit this is axiomatic. 2) Every…

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• Well first of all I should have defined arbitrary respect. I think its when people gain respect because of status. For instance there seems to be a lot of people who demand respect just because they are in the army. I don't think its wrong for people to not respect people in…
• People always say that everyone deserves the utmost respect. When someone speaks in class to present their work, it is a given that they get respect. Teachers always tell their students to treat each other with respect. Yet if every one gave and in return got respect, what is…

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• First we have the great author Edgar Allen Poe (USA)Second we have the wolves of Mibu, or better known as the Shinsengumi (Japan)I won't tip my hand further since this is the acceptance round, but I will go in depth in the later rounds.
• still waiting

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• First, It seems that Con has yet to even comment on the emotional awareness aspect of my argument. That said, it seemed rather damning for any argument against free will. I showed that the brain does not require the emotion of pain in order to process the damage that has…
• I was very clear in the first post that I would not be arguing for a mechanism for free will because I do not know of one. I am arguing that it exists, not that I know how it works. I even gave examples showing that we can know that a thing is true without knowing how. We know…

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• Mate just saying your arguing with a person that welcomes the unknown. Other than the comparison of pleasure through your statements (of sex -_-), and the fact that death takes away your capacity to feel pleasure. Simply stating that no "good" can come from it isn't really an…
• There are Happy Suicidal people. Most of them have mood disorders and others are kept for further study. For example they could be the happiest person alive and still end up with suicidal thoughts. There are also some cases in which normal people who show no sign of depression…