Debate.org: Popular Debates

Philosophy: Determinism Accurately Describes Reality

2009-11-19T00:48:25-08:00

(Voting Period) In this debate, my opponent is taking the hard determinist stance that everything in the whole of existence is predetermined. My duty is to demonstrate that some things are not determined, and I will also present a case for free will. Definitions: Determinism - The philosophical doctrine that every state of affairs, including every human event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedent states of affairs. [1] Free Will - The philosophical doctrine that the conduct of human beings expresses personal choice and is not simply determined by physical or divine forces. [1] ========== The Microcosm ========== On a small scale, it is quite clear that quantum particles are indeterministic and here's why: The Copenhagen Interpretation (standard interpretation) of Quantum Theory holds that the laws of nature are indeterministic and probabilistic. [2] In this interpretation, a small particle swerves in a particular direction at a part

3 Items found at Wal Mart that will best kill a velociraptor

2009-11-20T12:42:08-08:00

(Debating Period) Greetings to all. I mean this to be a fun debate. Its goal is clear. What we will do is determine three items found at Wal Mart that would be able to kill a Velociraptor. The scenario is that you (and I) have been trapped by a hungry velociraptor in a closed Wal Mart (with the lights on). One of has has to kill it with our best choices of Wal Mart items. Velocraptor - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor We shall each divulge one idea/item a post. You can have the item stand on its own or you can build a sequence (one item only works when utilized with the next). Plus negate your opponent's item as ridiculous/useless, if capable. The first item that I require is a pet rabbit from the pet's section.

should public schools set aside a time to pray or meditate?

2009-11-19T07:47:23-08:00

(Voting Period) I believe that public schools should set aside a time to pray or meditate, because according to the pledge of allegiance it says one nation under god. That tells us that this is a free country to do whatever we want as long as it does not compromise with the law. But in my opinion we are smarter to figure out, all I'm asking for a minute to pray or meditate for every student regardless of their religons affilation.

The Following Arguments for the Existence of God are Valid - 1K

2009-11-15T17:46:49-08:00

(Voting Period) Note: the "1J" notation in the Topic title is simply for searching purposes. [Definition - Existence] http://dictionary.reference.com...... 1. the state or fact of existing; being. *NOTE* I am not debating whether or not a God exists in one's MIND, but rather in REALITY. [Definition - Valid] http://dictionary.reference.com...... 1. sound; just; well-founded 2. Logic. (of an argument) so constructed that if the premises are jointly asserted, the conclusion cannot be denied without contradiction. *NOTE* Stemming from the second definition, I don't intend for my opponent to create a syllogism. Simply put, my opponent needs to construct an argument of which I can't successfully defeat (of course, this is to the opinion of the voters). So in other words, it needs to be logically valid and sound. Let's try to avoid semantics, and get a good hearty debate going. Additionally, I require that my opponent argue for whatever deity they are proving with

I can not prove that I exist.

2009-11-18T23:59:59-08:00

(Debating Period) My opponent made the claim, "I can not prove that I exist." I would like her to defend this statement. This will be a two round debate, starting in round 2. Round 1 will be used for definitions. Definitions: Exist (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Exist) 1 a : to have real being whether material or spiritual b : to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions Self 2. The self; the ego. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/I) Prove 1 archaic : to learn or find out by experience 2 a : to test the truth, validity, or genuineness of b : to test the worth or quality of; specifically : to compare against a standard —sometimes used with up or out c : to check the correctness of (as an arithmetic result) 3 a : to establish the existence, truth, or

All knowledge is founded on faith - 2

2009-11-16T07:43:51-08:00

(Voting Period) This debate has a numerical suffix in the resolution to distinguish it from my first debate on this subject. (http://www.debate.org/debates/All-knowledge-if-founded-on-faith./1/). ----- The term faith has many contextual uses, but for my purposes, I refer to the following definition: Faith: Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. [1] The term faith, insofar as this debate is concerned, is synonymous to belief. The resolution can therefore be properly understood to say, "All knowledge is founded on unproven, or unjustified, belief." The phrase "founded on" can be understood in this debate to mean "based upon" or "ultimately relies upon." In other words, I am arguing that all knowledge is justified by either faith directly, or by other knowledge that is itself justified by faith. The most popular theory of knowledge is the tripartite theory [2], which identifies knowledge as that which is simultaneously believed, true,

Logic Analysis: These arguments disprove the existence of God.

2009-11-18T13:48:54-08:00

(Debating Period) I thank my opponent in advance for accepting this debate. Logic is often a poorly used commodity where religion is concerned; whether arguing for or against the supernatural, many fallacious arguments are posited and accepted as truth. I stand against the idea that the spiritual can be proven or disproven by physical evidence, or that any system of reasoning that claims to have answered this question is failsafe. I challenge all reasoners to prove their assertions in formal debate. I contend that the arguments my opponent will post against the existence of God are not logically sound. RESOLUTION: These arguments disprove the existence of God. DEFINITIONS: By accepting this debate, you agree to accept these definitions for this debate. God: the one Supreme Being; perfect, omnipotent, omniscient; the creator and ruler of the universe. His known attributes include goodness, holiness, wisdom, independence from His creation, immanence within His

Candy should be used as a reward for students

2009-11-20T13:33:47-08:00

(Debating Period) First i would like to thank the judges and the pro for doing this debate... First i would like to introduce my points I. Bribes a. Some child development experts also describe rewards and incentives for good behavior as bribes. Dr. Martin E. Ford of Stanford University does not believe parents should offer rewards when a child behaves, "In the short-run, bribes produce a high degree of effort from children, but they can have negative long-term consequences." ["Parent & Child," Lawrence Kutner, The New York Times, 1991] b. Small rewards, such as stickers, can be helpful in teaching young children to complete tasks. These however, can cause dependence on outside motivators rather than learning internal motivation and developing a sense of pride for "a job well done." One drawback to incentive reading is the complaint that students are reading for rewards. They are not being intrinsically motivated to read books on their own or finding the passion for readin

The Existence of God

2009-11-20T11:30:23-08:00

(Debating Period) Definitions God: any of various beings conceived of as supernatural, immortal, and having special powers over the lives and affairs of people and the course of nature; deity, esp. a male deity: typically considered objects of worship; in monotheistic religions, the creator and ruler of the universe, regarded as eternal, infinite, all-powerful, and all-knowing; Supreme Being; the Almighty Exist: to have reality or actual being; to occur or be present Sources: http://www.yourdictionary.com I will be arguing that God does not exist. I will let my opponent present his arguments first.

death sentence to criminal legal or illegal

2009-11-20T06:25:17-08:00

(Debating Period) it is legal

Ultimate Team War - Ender's Game 3

2009-11-19T17:56:19-08:00

(Debating Period) This is Ultimate Team War - Ender's Game. Each debater must assemble a team of five characters, and the teams will then fight to the death(ish). Since we cannot have an actual real-life battle, each debater will explain why their team is superior during this debate. DEFINITIONS Team leader: One of the debaters here, i.e. me or mongeese. Team member: One of the five chosen warriors. Team Pro: My team. Team Con: My opponent's team. RULES 1. Battles take place in the Battle Room of Ender's Game. The room is 100m by 20m by 20m. A portal is located on each 20 by 20 wall, 5m by 5m. Each team has its own portal. The Battle Room is not lit, and there is no gravity. The Battle Room contains air, same in composition as that of Earth. Along the walls, 1-foot handlebars are located 3 m away from each other. The Battle Room and all handlebars are indestructible. The temperature of the Battle Room is 25 degrees Celcius. The Battle Room and the Preparation Rooms ma

Hitler was a hero

2009-11-19T15:55:54-08:00

(Debating Period) Many people in today's society see Hitler as an evil person but I am here to prove that Hitler was a hero I am not for the gruesome things Hitler did to Jews, gypsies, and handicaps and such but Hitler helped out people so much even at one point in history Hitler was a well known hero and I am here today to shed light on the heroic deeds of Hitler. Hero: a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Hero Hitler:http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/explorers_history/adolf_hitler_portrait.jpg If my opponent doesn't mind I would like to let them take the first speech and tell why Hitler was evil, and I thank whomever accepts this debate.

The Kalam Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God is Sound

2009-11-18T21:47:10-08:00

(Debating Period) My goal in this debate is to demonstrate that the Kalam cosmological argument is sound. My OP will be a very general outline and defense of the KCA, and I will leave it to my opponent to deliver and develop his specific criticisms in his OP before I go in depth, lest I attack straw men that are not a part of my opponent's argument. [1] The Kalam cosmological argument for the existence of God is one of the most popular arguments of natural theology today. Its foremost contemporary defender is philosopher William Lane Craig. Other proponents include Mark Nowacki, J. P. Moreland, and David S. Oderberg. According to atheist Quentin Smith, "A count of the articles in the philosophy journals shows that more articles have been published about Craig's defense of the Kalam argument than have been published about any other philosopher's contemporary formulation of an argument for God's existence." [2] The KCA is formulated as follows: 1. Whatever begins to exist

Abortion is Prima Facie Morally Wrong

2009-11-18T20:11:58-08:00

(Debating Period) I'm going to offer a brief outline of the pro-life position that I defend, and I will engage in further argumentation in the subsequent rounds. The fundamental issue regarding the abortion debate is not women's rights or other factors which concern personal autonomy, but over the status of the unborn child. Variants of the personal choice argument presuppose that the unborn child is not a human person, for if the unborn child is indeed a human person, then no amount of freedom justifies its elective termination. Henceforth, variants of the personal autonomy argument beg the question by presupposing their conclusions: they are valid if and only if the unborn are not human persons. [1] As outlined by Francis J. Beckwith, my argument against abortion will be as follows : 1. The unborn entity, from the moment of conception, is a full-fledged member of the human community. 2. It is prima facie morally wrong to kill any member of that community 3. Every su

Logic Analysis: These arguments prove the existence of God.

2009-11-17T10:37:57-08:00

(Voting Period) I thank my opponent in advance for accepting this debate. Logic is often a poorly used commodity where religion is concerned; whether arguing for or against the supernatural, many fallacious arguments are posited and accepted as truth. I stand against the idea that the spiritual can be proven or disproven by physical evidence, or that any system of reasoning that claims to have answered this question is failsafe. I challenge all reasoners to prove their assertions in formal debate. I contend that the arguments my opponent will post for the existence of God are not logically sound. RESOLUTION: These arguments prove the existence of God. DEFINITIONS: By accepting this debate, you agree to accept these definitions for this debate. God: the one Supreme Being; perfect, omnipotent, omniscient; the creator and ruler of the universe. His known attributes include goodness, holiness, wisdom, independence from His creation, immanence within His creatio

The Existence of God is Possible

2009-11-17T09:49:14-08:00

(Voting Period) My goal in this debate is not to demonstrate the existence of God, but simply that his existence is _possible_. By God, I mean a being with "the greatest possible array of compossible great making properties." [1] In order for my opponent to win, he must show that it is God's existence is impossible, that is, it entails a logical contradiction (Like a married bachelor or square circle). All that is required of me is to show that the concept of God is logically coherent (That is, free of contradiction). _________ SOURCES [1] - Thomas V. Morris, "Our Idea of God: An Introduction to Philosophical Theology" (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press. 1991) 35.

Public Behaviour

2009-11-18T19:15:19-08:00

(Debating Period) Resolved, that no circumstance can excuse Ms. Langrall's behaviour in the following incident: Police: Woman threw urine-soaked sweatshirt on cop Megan Nicole Langrall was arrested for shoplifting in Shrewsbury Township, police said. By TED CZECH Daily Record/Sunday News Updated: 11/16/2009 08:29:33 AM EST A Codorus Township woman threw a sweatshirt soaked with urine, saliva and mucus in a state trooper's face after he arrested her for retail theft Saturday, according to state police. Police arrested Megan Nicole Langrall, 24, at the Wal-Mart in Shrewsbury Township about 4 p.m. They then placed her in the backseat of a police cruiser to take her to state police's barracks in Loganville. On the way to the barracks, Langrall urinated in the backseat of the cruiser, police said. Troopers took Langrall inside the barracks and gave her an emergency blanket in which to wrap herself. They also told her that if she was wearing a shirt under her u

The Government should do more to promote Jewish businesses.

2009-11-16T17:14:40-08:00

(Voting Period) Jewish businessmen are renowned for prioritising good value for money and providing excellent customer service over making profits, but, unfortunately, this unselfish commitment to public service means that the Jewish business community is missing out on extra cash. I'm sure that if they advertised the fact their stores were Jewish owned, the public would make a point of favouring them with their custom more often. The trouble is, as well as not caring about money, Jewish businessmen are very modest. With this in mind, surely it is time for the Government to step in and paint Stars of David on all Jewish-owned store windows and place government notices on the doors reading "THIS BUSINESS IS RUN BY JEWS"? That way, the public would be in a position to make an informed decision on which shops to patronise and which shops to avoid. Thank you.

High School Students Ought Not Be Required to Take Exit Exams

2009-11-16T14:56:13-08:00

(Voting Period) First I Would like to thank my opponent without him this debate would not be possible. Second i would like to restate the resolution that High School Students Ought Not Be Required to Take Exit Exams Which i would define as High School Students Ought not (ought not meaning that they should not have to)Be Required(be required meaning be forced to) Take Exit Exams( As in The tests you must take to graduate) There are three main topics i would like to discuss during this debate First Being the social standpoint, Second being the economical standpoint, And third being the moral standpoint. My first topic is the social standpoint is followed by two sub-points the first being that with more people graduating from high school sooner we will have a stronger community. My second sub-point is that with more people going on to higher education we can finally be back on top of the world power. Second is my economical stand point once more people go to college t

The war in Afghanistan can be won

2009-11-12T15:43:17-08:00

(Voting Period) My position on this topic of debate is that the American war in Afghanistan CANNOT be won. I'm just going to provide some background information on the issue: The United States military invaded Afghanistan after the terrorist attack on 9/11. Concluding that the attack was by Al Qaeda, the United States government immediately sought to punish the criminals by any means possible. Understanding that Al Qaeda was protected by the extremist Taliban faction, the Bush administration demanded that they hand over Al Qaeda's operatives. They refused to do so. The US military invaded a couple of weeks later. The core reason why we cannot win the war in Afghanistan is because there will be future generations that will be willing and able to become members of the Taliban. Even if our military completely eliminated the current generation of Taliban warriors, there will be another generation to take their place. So once we begin fighting this new generation, and if we