Questions
997 questions in the encyclopedia.
Should transgender children medically transition?
Many transgender people choose to medically transition, undergoing procedures such as hormone therapy and face/chest/genital surgery. For those who choose to medically transition, these procedures can alleviate gender dysphoria and increase quality of life. There are some risks to medically transitioning, such as complications or wanting to detransition in the future. Transgender adults are capable of assessing these risks and comparing them to the potential social and mental health risks of not transitioning. On the other hand, letting transgender children and adolescents medically transition has been a controversial topic. Though trans minors generally only have access to puberty blockers and hormone treatments (minors are not allowed to get genital surgery, and other surgical interventions are rare), choosing to undergo these treatments is still a big decision with possible risks. Yet, the health benefits of medical transition for some trans people are undeniable.
Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
There is continued controversy around which bathroom trans people should use - that which is true to their identity, or that which matches their assigned gender at birth. While radical feminist women's groups characterise this as an issue of safety, it can also be seen as a fundamental contravention of trans people's rights to not allow them to use the bathroom that matches their identity.
Should UK students be charged university fees?
Just over twenty years ago, higher education was free in the UK for any student who secured a place on a university course. Flash forward to today and students graduate with an average debt of £50,000. Critics claim this is wildly unfair and inhibits social mobility. Others claim that high fees improve equality. With both sides aiming to reduce inequality, why do the positions on implementing fees and reducing grants contradict each other?
Should universities be free?
The debate around funding university education is as popular as ever. Many people think universities should be free to increase equality and job prospects for young people. Others think only STEM subjects should be free. Yet other people think universities should not be free at all.
Should universities no-platform controversial speakers?
Universities are meant to be the burgeoning hubs of idea exchange, yet denying controversial speakers a platform on campuses has become increasingly acceptable. Are there good reasons to no-platform inflammatory speakers?
Should university be free?
Should higher education be free to attend? This entry maps the debate, setting out positions that fees should remain, that maintenance loans should rise instead, that funding should target STEM subjects, and that university should be free for all.
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 vaccines be mandatory?
Vaccines are one of the most successful public health interventions in history. Yet there has always been and will always be a vocal anti-vaccination movement. Should governments exert their powers to make vaccines mandatory?
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 VAR be used in football?
The video assistant referee (VAR) has proven highly controversial since its introduction in FIFA's Laws of the Game in 2018, after years of calls for video to be used. Has it helped make football fairer or is it destroying the spectacle of the beautiful game?
Should voting in elections be mandatory?
Countries like Australia have mandatory voting to increase political participation. In the face of growing public disillusionment with politics and a substantial amount of the adult populace who refuse to vote in elections, should voting be mandatory?
Should we abandon online privacy?
An infringement on our privacy is ubiquitous to the modern internet era. The media paints the image that all of our online activities, from mindless internet browsing to banking information, is being monitored by hackers, corporations and even governments. However, there may still be ways, and things society can do, to maintain anonymity. Is online privacy a lost cause which should be abandoned altogether? Or can we still retain it?
Should we ban all religions?
Should all religions be banned? This entry sets out the two positions on the provocative question — that we should ban all religions, and that we should not — weighing claimed harms against freedom of belief.
Should we ban bottled water?
The consumption of bottled water is on the rise. Each year, approximately 200 billion plastic water bottles are used worldwide. With concerns about cost, effects on the environment, and the actual quality of the water, companies are brainstorming and seeking out healthier, eco-friendly alternatives.
Should we boycott Facebook because of Cambridge Analytica?
Cambridge Analytica is a British political consulting firm. In March, allegations broke that CA obtained private information from an estimated 50 million Facebook users without their permission. This data was then shared with third parties, including Donald Trump’s presidential campaign during the 2016 US Presidential Elections. The issue has raised concerns about privacy in the age of Big Data, and has sparked calls to increase the regulatory oversight over firms like Facebook.
Should we break up the Big Tech companies?
Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and others are now some of the largest and most powerful corporations in world history. Their reach is global, their resources and power eclipsing all but the largest nations. With their monopolies on entire market sectors and their political impact, has Big Tech become detrimental to the public good?
Should we care for environment?
A 'resource' that has been historically abused for its seeming endlessness, the onus of who should care for the environment becomes a progressively more and more contentious issue. Humans have recently had to reconsider the place that they have or the place that they were given without the world and the implications that has for the environment.
Should we consume the art or products of people accused of sexual abuse?
With the rise of the #MeToo movement, more and more victims of sexual assault have come forward accusing prominent figures. From Harvey Weinstein to Michael Jackson to R. Kelly, consumers of art are now faced with an important moral question: should we continue to consume the art of immoral people?
Should we explore space?
Humans have been fascinated with space for centuries. Mayans made a calendar from the stars, Galileo made a telescope, and a man was put on the moon. Space is vast, and scientists still don’t know a lot about it. Is space worth still exploring? Now that the space race has died down, does humanity need to continue to learn about space?
Should we have "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance?
In a nation built on freedom, debate has surrounded the phrase "under God" in The Pledge of Allegiance for decades. Does the phrase alienate all those who are not of Christian faith? Or is it simply the continuance of a long-standing tradition?
Should we have daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time has been around for over a century now. Recently, however, some debate has sparked as to whether or not it is still necessary to partake in. Are there truly benefits of participating in it? Or is it an outdated concept of the 20th century?
Should we have gun control?
There are more than 300,000,000 guns in the United States. Guns have claimed the lives of more American citizens than all the wars since the American revolution put together. With guns holding a unique place in the American psyche, should there be measures in place to limit gun ownership? What should these measures look like?
Should we invest in research to slow the ageing process?
Should society fund research aimed at slowing human ageing? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that we should invest in anti-ageing research, and that we should not — weighing longer life against its consequences.
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?
Should we mute the microphones, find a better referee, or cancel them altogether?
After chaotic televised debates, this entry maps proposals for fixing them — setting out the positions that candidates' microphones should be muted, that a better moderator is the answer, and that microphones should be cut altogether.
Should we phase out fossil fuels?
Fossil fuels are used to generate power in various facilities, providing energy for our homes, appliances, and devices. This energy has become critical to our daily lives, in turn making the use of fossil fuels essential. Despite this, debates have sprouted forth, contesting the use of fossil fuels to generate power. The questions posed by these debates are: Should the use of fossil fuels be discontinued due to their effects on climate? Or should we continue to use them for fear of economic setbacks?
Should we preserve dying languages?
A language becomes endangered when its speakers do not pass the language down to the next generation and its remaining native speakers grow older and pass away. A language is considered dead or extinct when it has no fluent speakers. Languages change, shift, and die throughout human history, yet linguists and speakers of endangered languages go at great lengths to record and maintain such languages for research purposes or cultural heritage. If languages change and die naturally, are they worth preserving? What is the purpose of preserving a dying language?
Should we stop calling rape victims 'survivors'?
This entry maps the debate over the language used for those who have experienced rape, setting out the positions that we should stop calling them 'survivors', and that we should not — and what each term conveys.
Should we stop eating meat for the environment?
Several forms of pollution - e.g. deforestation, eutrophication of water, leaching of nitrates, antibacterial resistance, release of ammonia, nitrous oxides and methane in the atmosphere - are associated to livestock production. Should we stop eating meat to prevent major environmental pollution?
Should white people have dreadlocks?
Throughout history, dreadlocks have been significant to cultures around the globe. The matted and locked hairstyle was a way for people to prevent or slow positive energies from leaving the body. More recently, dreads have been an important aspect of Rastafarians and African-American culture in the United States. Yet, when white people try dreadlocks, there is often backlash and accusations of cultural appropriation. Should anyone be allowed to have dreads? Is it cultural appropriation for white people to have dreadlocks?
Should women vote for Trump or Biden?
Gender inequality underpins many problems which disproportionately affect women and girls. The include domestic and sexual violence, gender-related pay gaps, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare. How the Presidential candidates approach this could swing the female vote. So, should women vote for Trump or Biden?
Should you buy a second-hand smartphone?
Is buying a used smartphone a smart move or a false economy? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that you should buy a second-hand smartphone, and that you should not.
Should you confess to cheating after a one night stand?
One night stands are one-off, sexual encounters free from emotional intimacy. But do they count as cheating? And should you tell your partner if you have had a one night stand while in a relationship with them?
Should you give money to beggars?
For people fortunate enough to have extra money in their pockets, giving it away can be fraught with stress. The decision to give or not to give money to homeless people has real-world consequences. This question is not concerned with the legality of giving money, but rather with the moral and ethical dilemma that goes along with it.
Should you go vegan?
Should you adopt a vegan diet? This entry maps the debate over going vegan, setting out the opposing positions that eating animal products is ethical, and that it is unethical — weighing health, environment and animal welfare.
Should you maintain relationships with racist family members?
Should you keep a relationship with a family member who is racist? This entry maps the positions on the question — that you can, that you cannot do so ethically, and that it depends on the circumstances.
Should you watch anime dubbed or subbed?
Anime (Japanese animation) is a cultural phenomenon that has swept the globe since the 90’s. More and more non-Japanese speakers are becoming interested in the world of Japanese animation. Instead of learning Japanese from scratch, viewers deliberate between the controversial choices of watching dubbed (with English voiceovers replacing Japanese audio) or subbed (retaining the Japanese audio and adding subtitles) versions of anime.
The greatest moment in cinema?
What is the single greatest moment in cinema? This entry gathers the contenders — among them Andy's escape in The Shawshank Redemption, the twist in The Usual Suspects, the choice in Sophie's Choice, and the chestburster in Alien.
The greatest pop record ever produced?
What is the greatest pop record ever made? This entry gathers the contenders — among them Prince's 'When Doves Cry', Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love', Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab', Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and OutKast's 'Hey Ya!'.
The Harper's Letter: How are people split?
On 7 July 2020, Harper's Magazine published a letter signed by 153 prominent artists, writers and intellectuals including J.K.Rowling, Noam Chomsky and Margaret Atwood. Titled "A Letter on Justice and Open Debate" the signatories warned against the "intolerant climate" crushing free speech. They alleged that the rise of "cancel culture" whereby public figures are called out and boycotted for controversial views, was an assault on free speech. Others see their complaints as ironic, pointing to their elite status and use of a global platform to complain about being silenced. So, what do the two camps believe?
The UK may be in a position to launch commercial space flights by 2024. Who would you most wish to see offered a one-way ticket?
Poll - What do YOU think? 🔍The UK may be in a position to launch commercial space flights by 2024. Who would you most wish to see offered a one-way ticket? a) Nigel Farage b) Dominic Cummings c) Ian Duncan Smith d) Mark Francois - Let us know your opinion!
The worst part of Trump paying zero taxes?
What was most troubling about revelations that Donald Trump paid little or no federal income tax? This entry maps the positions — that the worst part is that it was legal, that it set a bad example, and that it exposed systemic flaws in the US tax system.
To what extent did the Italian Renaissance change Europe?
There is a debate as to how different the Renaissance truly was from the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages or "The Dark Ages" is seen as a time of cultural decline, but how much really changed?
Was Black Panther's political message too conservative?
Was the politics of Black Panther more conservative than its reputation suggests? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the film's political message is too conservative, and that it is not.
Was Bolivian President Evo Morales ousted in a coup?
Bolivia has been a site of political upheaval since Evo Morales, president of the country for 13 consecutive years, declared his victory in the October 20th election. The streets have been filled with both violent and peaceful protestors. Some argue against the legitimacy of the vote. Others defend the re-election of the left-wing, indigenous leader. On November 10th, Morales resigned and sought political asylum in Mexico.
Was Boris Johnson's move to prorogue parliament legal?
Boris Johnson took the decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks in the run-up to Britain's deadline for leaving the EU on October 31. His government argues that he was legally able to do so. The preceding parliamentary session was the longest on record and the prorogation was designed to bring it to a natural close. Opposition MPs believe Johnson's motives were to stymy debate and were, therefore, unconstitutional.
Was Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones a feminist Icon?
Was Brienne of Tarth a feminist icon in Game of Thrones? This entry weighs the two views of the warrior knight who defied the gender expectations of Westeros: that she stands as a feminist icon, and that she does not.
Was Charles Dickens a social progressive?
The Victorian novelist Charles Dickens was in many ways an important social reformer. However, he also bought into many prejudices typical of his era, including anti-Semitism and racism, which are evident in several of his books. So, was Dickens a social progressive in bringing working-class issues to light in his writing, or did he allow his prejudice - typical of his era - to outweigh this?
Was Daenarys in Game of Thrones insane or calculating?
Was Daenerys Targaryen's turn in Game of Thrones a descent into madness or a cold calculation? This entry sets out the two readings of the character — that Daenerys was insane, and that she was calculating.
Was Game of Thrones epic or an epic fail?
Did Game of Thrones earn its place among television's greats, or collapse at the finish? This entry sets out the two verdicts on the series — that it was epic, and that it was an epic fail.