Category · 32 questions
Law
Justice, punishment, free speech, abortion. Where laws come from and what they should do.
In this section
32 entriesCan preventive war be justified?
Can a pre-emptive or preventive war ever be morally justified? This entry sets out the positions on the question — that preventive war can be justified, that it cannot, and that it may be in narrowly defined conditions.
Does punishing pedophiles count as discrimination?
This entry maps the debate over whether punishing paedophiles amounts to discrimination, setting out the opposing positions on the question — that it does, and that it does not.
Is catcalling harassment?
Is catcalling a form of harassment or harmless attention? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that catcalling is harassment, and that it is not — and the reasoning behind each view.
Is it ethical to keep asylum seekers wanting to live in Australia in offshore detention centres?
Is Australia's policy of holding asylum seekers in offshore detention ethical? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that offshore detention is not ethical, and that it is justified.
Should abortion be legal?
Throughout the world, abortions and a woman's right to have them remain taboo. As abortion is illegal in many countries, women sometimes going to extreme and dangerous lengths to obtain them. Going beyond whether or not terminating a pregnancy is right or wrong, what are the pros and cons of abortion? And should abortion as a medical procedure be legal?
Should Australia's immigration policy change?
This entry maps the debate over Australia's immigration policy — among the world's most contested — setting out the opposing positions that the policy should change and that it should stay the same.
Should casinos be banned?
Should casinos be banned? This entry weighs the arguments on both sides of the question — that casinos should be banned, and that they should not — covering concerns from gambling harm to personal freedom and economic contribution.
Should corporal punishment be allowed?
Corporal punishment - state sanctioned physical punishment - has been banned in 58 countries worldwide. However, some argue these bans deter violent crime. Should corporal punishment be allowed? Can it be an effective disciplinary tool? Or is it linked to skyrocketing crime rates?
Should cyberbullying be a crime?
Should cyberbullying carry criminal penalties? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that cyberbullying should be a crime, and that it should not — weighing protection of victims against free speech and enforcement.
Should gambling be banned?
Should gambling be banned outright? This entry weighs the arguments on both sides of the question — that gambling should be banned, and that it should not — balancing addiction and harm against personal freedom.
Should hate speech be illegal?
Hate speech has been around since time began, when feuds began occurring between different groups. Is it something that should be lawfully punished ? Or is it covered as a part of someone's right to free speech?
Should inheritance be minimized to create an equal outset for everyone?
Should inheritance be curtailed so everyone starts from a more equal footing? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that inheritance should be minimised to create an equal start, and that it should not.
Should people be prosecuted for crimes they commit in augmented reality?
As augmented reality blurs the virtual and the real, should acts committed in it carry legal consequences? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that people should be prosecuted for crimes committed in augmented reality, and that they should not.
Should polygamy in relationships be decriminalized?
Whether polygamous relationships should receive state-recognition is a pertinent question as polygamous relationships are on the rise. Those in support of legal polygamous unions ask that we continue to break with the traditional conception of love. Yet, those who oppose legalization raise the legal infrastructure and policies that the government would have to introduce as a deterrent.
Should polygraphs be admissible in court?
Once called "the strip searches of the mind", polygraph test creators maintain that their lie detectors can detect when a suspect is lying in 80-95% of cases. Should we use them in the justice system to secure convictions? Or are polygraphs a dangerous and gross violation of a suspect's legal rights?
Should pornography be banned for people under 18?
Should under-18s be barred from accessing pornography? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that minors should be free to explore their sexuality, and that porn is harmful and should be banned for minors.
Should public nudity be legal?
There are many different kinds of reactions and feelings about nudity in public around the world, often governed by tradition or religious convictions and beliefs. But should public nudity be illegal?
Should recreational marijuana be legal?
Following a public outcry over the case of Billy Caldwell, a 12-year-old boy with epilepsy who was prohibited from bringing back a life-changing supply of cannabis oil from Canada, the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has now been made legal in the UK. Unsurprisingly this has re-ignited the ongoing question: should we legalise the recreational use of cannabis?
Should sex work be decriminalised?
Should sex work be removed from the criminal law? This entry maps the positions on the question — that sex work should be fully decriminalised, that it should be partially decriminalised, and that it should not be decriminalised at all.
Should Supreme Court Justices be elected or appointed?
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the legal hierarchy. The system in which Supreme Court justices are elected or appointed may shape how they act and decide on rulings. Even though justices are usually appointed, some argue that elections should be held to ensure an independent judiciary.
Should the sale of human organs be legalised
Should people be allowed to buy and sell human organs? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the sale of human organs should be legalised, and that it should not — weighing supply against exploitation.
Should unnecessary cosmetic surgery be criminalised?
Should non-essential cosmetic surgery be made a crime? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that unnecessary cosmetic surgery should be criminalised, and that it should not.
Should vaping be banned
Should vaping be banned? This entry weighs the arguments on both sides of the question — that vaping should be banned, and that it should not — covering health risks, harm reduction for smokers, and personal freedom.
Should we legalize all drugs?
Most countries in the world have laws banning the production, sale, and possession of illicit drugs. Despite billions being spent each year on enforcing these laws, a robust criminal market for drugs persists, and many places are undergoing epidemics of drug addiction. The challenges of enforcing drug prohibitions have led some advocates to propose legalizing drugs, while others maintain that laws and enforcement should only be made stricter. Which strategy makes the most sense? Should we change the status quo and legalize all drugs, or stay the course and focus on enforcement? Or does decriminalization offer a more favorable compromise?
Was Twitter correct in fact checking Trump?
On May 28th, Twitter added a fact check to a Trump Tweet about mail in ballots. The President has argued that this is a type of political censorship. Is Twitter a public square or private forum? Does a fact-check limit free speech? Was Twitter correct in fact-checking Trump's tweets?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of disclosing your disability to a potential employer?
According to the CDC, 61 million adult Americans (or 1 in 4) have a disability. People with a disability have an unemployment rate that is twice as high as the rate for the rest of the population. It can be harder to get a job for people with disabilities. One of the biggest issues around applying for a job is deciding whether or not to disclose your disability to a potential employer. Legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 in the U.K. and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S. have ensured certain protections such as protection from discrimination, reasonable accommodations, and restrictions on what employers can ask about your disability. Pre-offer employers can ask voluntary demographic information (including if you have a disability) to ensure diversity, or make limited enquires to determine if you can perform the tasks vital to the role and post-offer employers can ask medical questions (or require an examination) as long as they do for all individuals selected. However, it is generally up to the individual to decide if, when, and how much to disclose. There are both advantages and disadvantages to disclosing your disability to a potential employer.
What are the pros and cons of legalizing all drugs?
Should all drugs be legalised? This entry maps the debate over full drug legalisation, setting out the opposing positions that legalising all drugs would benefit society, and that it would harm it.
What is the best drug regulation system?
What makes for the best system of drug regulation? This entry maps the contending priorities — pharmacovigilance, the regulation of clinical trials, and the inspection of standards in drug development and manufacture.
What is the purpose of prisons?
Is the point of prisons to restrict freedom as punishment for crimes committed? Should prisons be rehabilitative? Are prisoners supposed to emerge from the experience deterred from committing future crimes and morphed into law-abiding citizens?
What should the legal status of prostitution be?
Sometimes called ‘the world’s oldest profession’, prostitution holds a complex cultural place. While it is underpinned by gender norms and has been linked to violence, it also represents a source of agency for some and a viable career option for many. Should it be treated like any other job by the state? And if the state wishes to curtail prostitution, is making it illegal the best option?
Will Donald Trump concede the 2020 Presidential election to Joe Biden?
After Joe Biden's decisive win in the 2020 Presidential Election, Donald Trump and many of his supporters continued to claim victory in the election, as well as accuse the Democratic Party of using voter fraud to illegitimately steal the election.
Will Donald Trump or Joe Biden be better for criminal justice?
The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. As riots have blazed across the country in response to police brutality, the ways presidential candidates approach criminal justice are increasingly coming under scrutiny. Will Donald Trump or Joe Biden be better for criminal justice?