Philosophy Debate Topics — page 24

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• You certainly seem to place the possibility of God at zero. And yes, all religions are the creation of men. But Christians believe that there is no single church that is above all the rest. We only believe in Christ our Savior. You really love that caps lock button, don't you?…
• I'd actually like to go THREE rounds with you. First, I don't remember anything in the terms about debating WHICH religion is real, I was just arguing that theism in general is perfectly rational. The subject of which religion, however, needs its own debate. What I'm going to…

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• I can see where the argument that there are human actions which are neutral, as in neither good nor bad, comes from. However, the problem with this idea is that by themselves, actions may hypothetically be neutral, but their effects are never neutral. Humans take actions to…
• We have seen that human actions have moral consequences. We have also seen that the motives behind these actions (realized and unrealized) can have moral consequences. In this third part, we move from the fact that all human action has moral consequences to the fact that…

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• Extend
• Hey SoloNo.1! Thanks for accepting this debate. So, onto the arguments. The Case For Affirming Free-Will Argument 1 My main argument for free will comes from the recent revelations from quantum mechanics, and more specifically, Quantum indeterminacy. The idea is that if the…

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• Evolutionary EthicsLet me re-state my syllogistic argument: 1. Human thoughts are objective biological functions of the brain2. The human brain, and therefore its biological functions, have been objectively standardized as a direct result of evolutionary development3. Human…
• Evolutionary EthicsIt is interesting that the opponent claims that "moral intuition" can be "alternatively explained" [emphasis mine] by natural selection. Evolutionary traits and morality, in many ways, go hand in hand. If we take a neo-Darwinian stance on the issue of…

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• zzz
• mental emotion is 50 50 positive and negative joy is physical not mental

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• Thanks for the debate, Grape Contention 1: Evolution Will Turn You Into a Freak Contrary to what many people believe, humans are still evolving.[1] That's not a big deal if you have the kind of immortality that only lasts 1,000 or 2,000 years, but of course real immortality…
• We're big on this idea of not dying. We love stories of immortal vampires and invincible superheroes, each of us wishing on some level that was us. If we didn't have to worry about death, we could finally get things done. But could we? If you take a moment to think about it,…

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• My humblest apologies to the entire public. My opponent clearly does not have what it takes to debate and clearly cannot present himself and abide with the rules set my this website. I hereby rest my case, since I have no other option because I will surely win if I continue…
• My opponent stated that planning for the future is not a waste of time and that it can be a very important decision to make since. He claims that SQUIRRELS store food for later use and that early warning systems need to be put in place to deal with natural disasters. The point…

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• R4 Theme: Mozart, "Carmina Burana". http://www.youtube.com...For character reasons, "first principles" --> "FPs".I'd like to pick a fight with the notion that my "task" is to differentiate or "validate" my use of logic vis-a-vis FPs in ethics. One, the idea of "validating" FPs…
• R3 Theme: Queen, "We Will Rock You". http://www.youtube.com...I want to sincerely thank Con for the best challenge I've gotten on this subject in a long time.I'll be first out of the gate to accept Con's reasoning. I preempted a defense of moral realism, and he chose instead to…

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• Some of you reading this debate may have picked up by now that both pro and con are both stressing the present importance of the situation or the scenario in any decision of morality. I would never deny this even though I am arguing pro. But you see, 'situation morality' is not…
• Hello I will be arguing pro for this debate, that morals are indeed objective. I accept my opponents definition of the term objective meaning always and will now proceed to actually debate. My opponent points obviously wishes for us to take a look at the statement 'killing is…

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• For the contender to consider all effort, both physical and mental, as work is a convenience. He is then able to attribute to work all that is positive of mind and body and vilify any who desire to reduce or avoid it. Of the effort that it takes for the contender to think, I…
• I will attempt to avoid the argument that innovation is driven often by a desire to avoid or reduce labor. I will also hold back from the assertion that industry does more harm than good, and that its antithesis is proper. Although these paths are obvious, they are too long to…

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• Well thank you for giving your input but since you pointed out all my reasoning lets check our yours. I said, "Honesty is a really important quality in a person considering that now a days everybody lies." - Honesty IS an important quality. but by definition, honesty is defined…
• I am definitely pro for being honest and poor vs. being dishonest and rich. Honesty is a really important quality in a person considering that now a days everybody lies. On the other hand comes the poor vs. rich factor. Money comes and goes. There will always be money in the…

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• I could say the same thing you keep saying intelligence and relating it to LA, but LA is linked to minds so if you say intelligence I assume you automatically mean intelligent mind. Cons Says LAs are dependent on INTELLIGENCE....if there is no intelligence then LAs would cease…
• in math we break things into pieces, so that would you put pieces together they form a whole piece. I will attempt to break things down 1.Intelligence by itself cannot be USED without a mind So each time CON uses intelligence when referring to LA I will add "MIND" because it…

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• Sigh.... my arguments stand. Hopefully Yraelz will come out and debate in the next round...
• .. that said, I'll begin addressing his points. If our esteemed audience will look at the comment section for the question of age, we are treating all ages before the threshold of complex reasoning. This may or may not include 7 years of age, depending on a child's cognitive…

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• This debate could easily have ground down into wrangling about the definition of "morality" and "practical". I'm so glad it didn't. Many thanks to my opponent for allowing the discussion to stay open, even if it has meant that we are using those words in different ways. It's…
• Con said: "I do not support Pro`s main argument that moral instinct has evolved in humans."Not only are the moral instincts of empathy, reciprocity and fairness ubiquitous in the human species, they have also been shown over and over throughout the primate order (1-3), which is…

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• Your arguments are better than I expected. --------------------------------- Your arguments: 1. An endless loop of contradiction 2. 'There are actually some that do apply all the time' i.e. "Do what results in the most happiness, both for you and others, both now and in the…
• "Philosophy" is defined as: A theory or attitude held by a person or organization that acts as a guiding principle for behavior. In other words, "Philosophy" is a generalization describing vaguely how individuals should act. Because it's a generalization, no given philosophy…

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• Beginning of Existence, RevisitedMy opponent says:"Everything in this case refers to literally everything. There is no added distinction, such as, 'everything in the Universe', or 'everything that we see'. The word 'everything', in context, literally means everything."This is…
• The classical Kalam Cosmological Argument (KCA) is as follows[1]:1. Everything that has a beginning of its existence has a cause of its existence; 2. The universe has a beginning of its existence; 3. Therefore: The universe has a cause of its existence. I will be arguing that…

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• Falsifiability is the belief that for any hypothesis to have credence, it must be inherently disprovable before it can become accepted as a scientific hypothesis or theory. If someone claims 'God exists', it is not possible for a scientist to disprove or falsify this YET, but…
• Thank you for accepting, and I'm pleased you have started. If someone makes a claim against what's established e.g. nukes are a hoax, this might seem like an extraordinary claim to many people, but it won't be for everybody, when I heard it my first thought was it could be…

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• Do I really need to tell you who won here?
• Unless my opponent gives the greatest argument I have ever seen in the next round, then I doubt she can win this one. Go PRO!

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• I thank CON for providing yet another clear and cogent deconstruction of this resolution.The first half of CON's rebuttal deals with the statement:"So again, going back to the definitions of desirable, the accepted definition includes the exempted portion. So while we could…
• Ok, I do sense a logical inconsistency in CON's arguments, so I hope people will be able to tolerate what I'm about to do.CON makes an error in logic in the following statement: "As my opponent said in round one, the latter is a quality of prudence. And, as he says here, either…

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• All I do is win, win, win no matter what
• Now I win again

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• I'll perhaps repeat myself a bit in the statements. Without authority, god, you say, truth isn't justified. In this sense, I can agree. If there's no authority behind truth, there is no obligation to follow it, it isn't justified that you habe to follow it. However, this…
• (I didn't answer chronically. ) You asked the question if god exists. Do answer with my opinion, I first need to have a definition of the god we talk about. I can already state that I am an atheist, I don't believe in an almighty person that is god. For this, I don't see enough…

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• (Since Mangani has declined to accept this challenge 3 times, even while boldly and falsely proclaiming that my YECS argument's major premise is not true, and I am currently advised that he is not accpeting challenges at this time, I am opening up the challenge to anyone who…
• I recently affirmed the proposition offered here again for your consideration. Some seemed to be lulled into believing that posted, incomplete effort by TSH rebutted my simple truth claim regarding the fundamental, true principle accepted amongst critical thinking authorities…

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• Definition - "an incredible or misleading statement, account, or belief" Example: "His story of being a millionaire is just a fairy tale" To confirm what I meant, this is the definition I had in mind I am arguing that an incredible statement, account or belief is possible.
• I believe that Fairy Tales are possible in the way that you can get a happily ever after ending. I'm not arguing that there are such things as mermaids, witches, talking mice, a spinning wheel that can put you in a sleeping curse or be able to make yourself look like a an old…

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• Authority
• We are fallible

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• I don't think you're arrogant; I think you're confident, but I like confident people. You're a very knowledgeable person, and you want to know everything there is to know, and that's not a problem; the problem is, you want to know things you aren't eligible of knowing. You're…
• I appreciate you reminding me of my lack of clarity, for it is something I forget and need to be caution of. As much as I appreciate the clarity, rather than opposing my argument, like an opponent is intended to do, I feel like you were essentially just clarifying my argument…

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• SocialPinko's ELO Tournament, Round 1 Group A: Lickdafoot vs. ChrysippusI affirm the resolution: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."First round is for acceptance only. Details of the tournament can be found here: http://www.debate.org...I greet my worthy opponent,…
• In this, the final round, I'm going to briefly re-cap my arguments and show you why you should believe that a bird in the hand is indeed worth more than two in the bush. In the first plane, I provided several sources which defined the meaning of this proverb in it's proper…

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• my previous argument,if read carefully,provides all the ans.There is only 2 things in this world-yes/no,black/white,ie opposites.Thus,2 types of lives are present-one imaginative,other non-imaginative.there are no more alternatives.And as per your arguments,I feel that you have…
• As my opposition suggests in his 3rd point,I would like to say that imagination is not seeking the unknown,but it is the evaluation of all the possibilities that future may have proposed for us.As for your first argument,i would say that there is only 2 things in this…

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• I will let my opponent go first.

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• I was really enjoying this debate, and I hope you keep participating. If you don't, I understand. Cheers.
• Don't have much to add here.

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• My opponent provides no evidence for his assertion that the costs outweigh the benefits, and therefore I cannot respond properly.
• My opponent is still alive. This shows that he has chosen to live life, thereby meaning that he has decided that the benefit of living life is greater than the costs.

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• "Practice makes it perfect." Many people write inspired drivel. It takes hard work and practice to be great. "Inspiration is a necessity, while craft is a tool." I think you have to consider that statement again. the simplest example I can say is language. When a kid is born,…
• The talent of a writer will fade out if he didn't use craft. Reading another writers' works will help to introduce better technics and literary devices to your own writing.

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• (In reply to C1) My opponent, you say you assumed a conscious actor which creates things. assuming can be a debater's worst enemy, I must say. You also say that my expanding my definition of creator does not support the point that there is a meaning of life. If you truly…
• You bring up good points; points that I'm sure anyone who is reading this could easily wonder. First off, you say that by stating "No matter who created us, we were created for a reason. " meaning that I presuppose that we were created by a creator, and that that creator had a…

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• I extend all arguments.
• I will now defend the argument.Begging the question?I maintain, that the argument is not question-begging if I manage to argue soundly that it is possible that God necessarily exists. If I do not manage to do this, then I concede that the argument is indeed question begging.So,…

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• I look forward to a challenge from you. I wish you the best of luck. For purpose of this debate, the Burden of Proof rests entirely upon me. All what izbo10 needs to do is refute my case. All I need to do is prove that it is possible to prove a negative statement is false.1)…
• Thank you, izbo10, for agreeing to this debate. Resolution It is possible to disprove a negative The opponents of the debate, and what positions they will argue. I am affirmative, meaning that it will be my burden to prove that it is possible to prove a negative. The scope of…

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• You have a point, but it's not weather you're caring about you're own life or not. It's if you're caring about it at all. I agree that taking a bullet to the arm to save a loved one is a noble thing to do, and would also make you look good (chucles), but you're also thinking of…
• If you've ever seen a factory billowing smoke about, then you'll think of pollution, something being made for the sake of mankind, or you won't care. If you don't care, you're not being selfish. If you think of it as for the sake of mankind, you're being reasonably selfish. If…

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• Definition of transhumanism;"Transhumanism (abbreviated as H+ or h+) is an international cultural and intellectual movement with an eventual goal of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance human…
• Many of the Con's arguments are flawed and fallacious. "Technology mustn't be explored when the potential for harm is too great."This is an appeal to consequence and fear. By that logic none of science should be explored due to the potential for abuse. Abuse and misuse will…

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• Relation of MAB and RA to the resolution.My opponent brings up a different sort of argument in his last round. He argues now (coming into my last response of the debate) that I have not provided sufficient evidence that MAB and RA are large enough parts of human nature. Aside…
• Clarification. Relation of MAB and RA to the resolution.The point of the contentions of MAB and RA as being large parts of human nature serves two points. (A) It shows the social and economic arrangements in society need not be set up competitively, and (B) it shows that human…

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• Before i forget: I am going to just make a point: My opponent has changed from "999%" to "99%" on his statistics. Why? It was because I brought it up: that is the cause. To say it was him is to say that if I did not bring it up, he would have changed it anyway. Is it rational…
• Due to two people requesting this, I'm opening up with a picture.My opponent's argument rests on the 1% to the 999% (which is a severely bad mathematical error but whatever) being free will. However, I am unfortunate in not receiving any reason to believe this 1% exists.…

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• Alright then, 200 - 300 words? . I see your point. But id like to ask one thing , what caused them ( HIC ) to steal? and yes, 'good intentions', the idea of it is subjective to everyone.
• Alright, to begin , i would like to state that these points would be very suggestive. If you do not agree, its cool. Anyway, wrong doings are created by the actions with good intentions. To support this , I would like to use a common crime in under-developed countries.…

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• you say "his is barely a refutation. Pro invokes concepts such as logical absurdities, reductio ad absurdum, paradoxes and contradictions, then denies the meaning of truth. Pro can't have it both ways. Either those things mean something, in which case my argument stands, or…
• you say "1. Suppose "Every view ends in meaninglessness" is true. (Hypothesis) 2. "Every view ends in meaninglessness" is a view. (Given) 3. Meaningless views are neither true nor false. (Given) 4. Meaningless views are not true. (From 3) 5. "Every view ends in meaninglessness"…

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• Hmm, didn't know I was that entertaining now.
• About how this is a total waste of time? Or maybe not? xP

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• My opponent is unable to respond to my arguments because he is a robot. I have proven that we are in a coded computer program controlled by malevolent beings who are using the human race as an energy farm.
• My oponent presented a link to everything science.com, I have no idea why. He says that the film "the matrix" is not reliable source because it's science fiction. However of course it's science fiction! The people who made the film were manipulated by the malevolent beings that…

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• Hmm.. Well, where do I start? Let's start with some definitions... Justify/justification -show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground/explanation of some action or belief Ends justifying the means/ends in justification of the means - The consequences of an action dictate…
• As you said in the comment section, this shall be an introduction. I'm David lol I look forward to what you have to say next round

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• Thank you Con."I am stating overall the true beliefs are necessarily tied to the action."The claim that true beliefs are "necessarily" tied to the action is an unwarranted one. What reason, on naturalism, do we have to think that our beliefs must be true in order for them to…
• Thank you Con."Evolution can select the trait of accurately understanding the world because beliefs are proportional to actions."There seems to be misunderstanding here. The concern is not whether or not beliefs are proportional to actions, it is whether the beliefs are…

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• I was excited to come across said video after reading the two books the video made reference to. I found those "seven minutes" intriguing on many levels. 1. The video starts by questioning Thomas Jefferson's claim, about all humans having Unalienable Rights.2. There are those…
• Pro will argue in support of the following video titled: "The Science of Rights" on YouTube. Con will argue against.

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• yup
• = Road Map = 4. Road Map - duh 5. Framework - I will extend my framework, and show it preempts Con arguments. 6. Rebuttal - I will respond to Con's refutations in a line-by-line rebuttal 7. Highlights - I will highlight the important issues which may have been lost in the…

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• =Definition of "sleeping with the enemy" CON concedes to my definition as well as the reasons he insisted to have it negated, so there is no reason to disconsider it at this point in the debate. =Re: Why CON cannot win this debate; the article "a" 1) What was marked as #1…
• ======================================== Definition of "sleeping with the enemy"| ======================================== CON starts by by disagreeing with my definition and stating that he wishes to define the definition in the literal sense. However, if you look at my…

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• My opponent has convinced me in regards to this debate please give all seven points to him. (sorry I was a bit of a pushover but I realized my view was far to simplistic).
• I will just state a few definitions before starting. Ethics will be defined as: "moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.". Situational ethics is defined as: "Ethical decisions that follow flexible guidelines rather than absolute…

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• I am going to start this by saying i am not religious, but i can agree that my beliefs have been influenced by their ideas. I can further say that everything i believe, has been created by my biological brain. Furthermore, from what we know about how humans work, i can believe…
• "mopey and offended" I am certainly not mopey, and you can say i took some offense, but i don't feel that either. I would say i am mainly frustrated. Instead of going with the ideas i present, i feel i have to repeat my view over and over bc you'd rather focus on cherry picking…

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• My opponent unfortunately wasn't able to make the last round. :)
• Thanks for the great reply! You are definitely great with words, and have already made this debate exciting, thankyou.I will proceed with the debate with the acknowledgement that you will be debating as a subjectivist. While I do hold belief that nihilism and subjectivism are…