Guns ought to be banned for the purpose of decreasing violent crime.
First, I wish who ever takes up this challenge good luck, and I hope that we have an interesting debate. Second, notice this is not about gun control in general, but specifically about decreasing crime. I hope we will not drift into silly semantic arguments, but rather have an interesting debate on the resolution. I would discourage people who debate that way from accepting this topic. Third, because the affirmative has the burden of proof, I will allow them to show reasons why the resolu...
There is a religious instinct that explains much beyond religion.
Resolved: There is a religious instinct that explains much beyond religion. I contend that there is a "religious instinct" which is independent of any particular religion. Every religion is a manifestation of the religious instinct, but not every manifestation is a religion. The claimed religious instinct is a conjunction of three factors: 1. An innate human desire to have theories that explain the world around them. 2. An innate human design to belong to a tribe bonded by common belie...
Morality MUST be objective.
DEFINITIONS: (from http://dictionary.reference.com) (1) MORALITY. 1. conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct. 2. moral quality or character. 3. virtue in sexual matters; chastity. 4. a doctrine or system of morals. 5. moral instruction; a moral lesson, precept, discourse, or utterance. 6. morality play. Origin: 1350–1400; ME moralite < LL mōrālitās. See moral, -ity Synonyms: 1. See goodness. (2) OBJECTIVE. Of or having to do...
"Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment."
I negate the resolution: "Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_for_the_Ethical_Treatment_of_Animals As usual, I will allow my opponent, PRO, to make an opening statement. Thank you to whoever accepts this debate....
Nowadays, an Islamic African-American Woman would have more "Rights" than a Christian White Man
Nowadays, an Islamic African-American woman would have more "rights" than a Christian White man in America. By "rights", I mean more ability to gain the sympathy of the nation, get what one wants, and do things with less interference. Yes, America was so eager to avoid a world run only by white Christian males that we're now going in the opposite direction. Here is my reasoning: 1. Religion From "America Alone: The End of the World as we Know It", page 66: "He's also the fellow who...
Women should not be punished for sunbathing topless.
It's sexist and it's wrong. While a man on a beach can take his shirt off and run about willy-nilly, in repressive countries such as Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, North Korea and the United States of America, women who strip to the waist are liable to be arrested and charged with indecent exposure. So why is that? Both men and women have nipples so that can't be the reason and a lot of fat blokes have bigger jubblies than some slim women do so that can't be the excuse either....
Empathy should have no role in judging appeals
Empathy is "the intellectual identification of the thoughts, feelings, or state of another person." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/empathy or, similarly, "Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives. See synonyms at pity." http://www.answers.com/topic/empathy For this debate, "judging" is taken in the legal sense of performing the duties of a judge. A judge is "A public official who hears and decides cases brought before a court of law. ... A judge is on...
Res: It is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent people
In affirming the resolution, the affirmative and the judge will rationalize the death of an individual or individuals in the name of the "greater good." With the idea that death protects us and is morally permissible for our survival, government leaders or other leaders, will be able to use this resolution as a smoke screen to justify any of their actions that lead to death. Value: Morality Criterion: Keeping power over our own lives so that we do not have to be at the will of a higher in...
Bilingual Signs
Resolved: The government should be required to publish all material in both English and Spanish. I'm of the opinion that Proposition should always take the first round. If you disagree, please do not take this debate....
it is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent persons.
It is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent people. This is right because even though though you are killing one person you are giving life to more innocent persons. This is justified by consequentialism. If the concenquences of killing one person is saving the lives of more innocent persons then it is justified....