Questions
997 questions in the encyclopedia.
What are the criticisms of Mormonism?
This entry maps the principal criticisms levelled at Mormonism (the LDS Church) — among them its historical priesthood and temple-admission policies, polygamy, the Adam-God and blood-atonement doctrines, the treatment of women, and the veracity of the Book of Mormon.
What are the disadvantages of watching pornography?
This entry maps the disadvantages attributed to watching pornography, setting out claims that it erodes values, encourages self-gratification, can contribute to erectile dysfunction, fosters social isolation, and discourages goal-setting.
What are the ethical issues with STEM Cell research?
This entry maps the main ethical issues raised by stem cell research, setting out concerns around clinical progress versus scientific caution, control, commercialisation, disease modelling, and the banking of stem cells.
What are the forms of European anti-Semitism?
Anti-Semitism is prejudice or hatred against Jews. Those feelings are tied to a number of different issues and express themselves in different ways. Unfortunately, these views still exist in places around the world.
What are the fringe theories around Jesus Christ?
For the two billion Christians worldwide, Jesus of Nazareth is the son of God - a first century messiah who performed miracles before being crucified to atone for the sins of mankind. However, some claim that Jesus was something else entirely, and have developed conspiracy theories claiming he was anything from a hypocrite to an alien. Who, or what, was Jesus?
What are the implications of Kanye West running for President?
On Saturday 4 July 2020, billionaire rapper Kanye West announced he was running for President. In a Tweet to his 29 million followers, West wrote: "We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION." This is not the first time West has announced a bid for Presidency. But many believe this time he plans to act on his plans. Little is known about his policy agenda, or what his election vision entails. So, what are the implications of Kanye running for office?
What are the main themes of Harry Potter?
What are the central themes of the Harry Potter series? This entry maps the contenders — confronting one's fears, the power of love, fate, acceptance and tolerance — each argued to be the story's main theme.
What are the most effective work from home practices during COVID-19?
With offices around the world closed while we hunt for a coronavirus vaccine, millions are working from home for the first time. Adjusting to conference calls from your bedroom can be disorienting, but making small changes to your environment can energise and improve your concentration.
What are the most successful social media "quarantine challenges"?
As the world looks for escapism to take their thoughts off the coronavirus, social media "challenges" are taking off. With more time on their hands, the world's citizens are getting creative in what they share with the world. Which ones have proved popular so far?
What are the most useful skills to learn while social distancing?
All this time alone can be frustrating. But let's not forget that Shakespeare allegedly wrote his masterpiece 'King Lear' while in quarantine from the Bubonic Plague. As the titular character in that great play states “Nothing can come of nothing.” Don't despair - use this time to learn valuable skills, so when you do emerge from this pandemic period, you do so stronger, wiser and ready to take on the new world.
What are the options on a second Brexit referendum?
Theresa May’s Brexit deal contains little to please Brexiteers or Remainers. As it stands, it will be very difficult for Brexit to end in a way that is satisfying for anyone. Should there be a second referendum on Brexit, so that people can vote with a better understanding of their options?
What are the positions on "the war on Christmas"?
This entry maps the debate over the so-called 'war on Christmas', setting out the opposing positions that there is a concerted war on Christmas, and that no such war exists.
What are the positions on a minimum wage?
A minimum wage, which sets the lowest legal wage a company can pay its workers, is designed to prevent exploitation. Its backers argue the pros, including guaranteeing low-income workers a liveable wage, outweigh the cons. But who really benefits from a legally mandated minimum wage?
What are the positions on achieving net-zero carbon?
The term ‘net-zero carbon’ refers to a standard proposed by policymakers, climate scientists, and activists where emissions would be reduced to a sustainable level, preventing catastrophic climate change. Some countries have already set targets- yet the issue is one of global contention.
What are the positions on Angela Merkel's immigration policy?
This entry maps the debate over Angela Merkel's open-door immigration policy, setting out the positions that it responded to a crisis that did not exist, that it went too far, and that it did not go far enough.
What are the positions on Australia Day?
This entry maps the debate over Australia Day, held on the anniversary of British colonisation, setting out the opposing positions that the date should be changed and that it should not.
What are the positions on Australia First People's?
This entry maps the positions on the rights and circumstances of Australia's First Peoples — covering the 'close the gap' agenda, health disparities driven by discrimination, substance abuse, political representation, federal initiatives, and land ownership.
What are the positions on Canada's controversial oil sands project?
This entry maps the debate over Canada's controversial oil sands, setting out the opposing positions that the development should not expand, and that it should — weighing economic gain against environmental cost.
What are the positions on Critical Race Theory?
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a framework of examining how race and racism influence legal and cultural institutions in society. CRT began as a theoretical movement in US law schools in the 1980s and has since been applied across many realms including legal policy, education policy, and diversity and race-conscious training. On September 4, 2020 the Donald Trump Administration stopped all federal anti-bias trainings that rely on CRT because CRT was deemed racist, anti-American propaganda. How should CRT be applied today, if at all?
What are the positions on DACA and Dreamers?
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy law esetablished in 2012 which allows some children of unlawful presence in the United States to temporarily delay deportation and gives them work authorization. Recently, DACA is extensively debated. What are all the positions and opinions on DACA?
What are the positions on Dumbledore's ethics?
Was Albus Dumbledore a wise mentor or a manipulator? This entry maps the debate over the Harry Potter character's ethics, setting out the opposing positions that his actions were ethical, and that they were not.
What are the positions on First Nations' Rights?
This entry maps the debate over First Nations' rights in Canada, setting out positions on the history of forced assimilation, hunting traditions versus animal rights, the legacy of state schooling, and the right to self-government.
What are the positions on Germany's social media hate policy?
This entry maps the debate over Germany's NetzDG law requiring platforms to remove hate speech, setting out the opposing positions that the social-media hate-speech law is flawed and that it is effective.
What are the positions on Global Warming?
Global warning has been a major concern for climate scientists for a few decades now. However, polling shows public discourse remains divided as to how real it is, what causes it and how to react to it.
What are the positions on indigenous people's collective rights to their native lands?
This entry maps the debate over Indigenous peoples' collective rights to their native lands, setting out the opposing positions — that they should hold such collective rights, and that they should not.
What are the positions on Motion 103 in Canada?
Motion 103 was a non-binding motion in Canada's House of Commons asking the government to address systemic racism and religious discrimination. This entry maps the two positions taken on it — that the motion was good, and that it was bad.
What are the positions on net neutrality?
Net neutrality policy is the idea that all websites, irrespective of their content, equipment, or location, must be treated with the same priority and speeds, but can vary in the extent of regulation. What are the main stances on net neutrality?
What are the positions on nuclear weapons?
Nuclear weapons have been inciting fear, controversy, and awe since their creation. With the recent push to ban these weapons gaining popularity across the world, many new positions have sprung up as a response.
What are the positions on racism in online dating?
This entry maps the debate over racism in online dating, setting out positions on racial dating preferences, the principle that everyone deserves love, race-based assumptions, and the idea of a racial 'hierarchy of desire'.
What are the positions on racism in South Africa?
This entry maps the debate over racism in South Africa, setting out the opposing positions that the country still struggles with racism, and that it no longer does, decades after the end of apartheid.
What are the positions on the Canadian Mi’kmaq lobstermen?
This entry maps the dispute over the Mi'kmaq lobster fishery in Canada, where Indigenous treaty rights collided with commercial fishers, setting out the positions that the Mi'kmaq lobstermen should be able to catch lobster, and that they should not.
What are the positions on the Eagle Spirit Pipleine?
This entry maps the debate over the proposed Eagle Spirit Pipeline, an Indigenous-led oil project in western Canada, setting out the competing positions that the pipeline is good and that it is bad.
What are the positions on the HIV/AIDS debate in South Africa?
This entry maps the debate over HIV/AIDS in South Africa, setting out the opposing positions that frame it primarily as a health issue, and as a racial issue bound up with the country's history and inequalities.
What are the positions on the land reform debate in South Africa?
This entry maps the debate over land reform in South Africa, setting out the positions that land should be redistributed, that it should not, and that redistribution is warranted only in some cases.
What are the positions on the WE Charity scandal in Canada?
This entry maps the debate over the WE Charity scandal in Canada, setting out the opposing positions on the government's contract with the charity — that awarding it was corrupt, and that it was appropriate.
What are the positions on why nations fail?
Why do some nations fail while others prosper? This entry maps the explanations — exclusive political decision-making, extractive institutions, the absence of the rule of law, and the lack of incentives to reward talent and ideas.
What are the pros and cons of a four day week?
This entry maps the debate over adopting a four-day working week, setting out the opposing positions that four-day weeks should be implemented and that they should not — weighing wellbeing and productivity against cost and coverage.
What are the pros and cons of capitalism?
Capitalism is an economic system in which the four factors of production (entrepreneurship, capital goods, natural resources, and labor) are owned by private entities with the aim of generating a profit. Capitalism requires a free market economy driven by supply and demand. There is a lack of government intervention. Competition helps keep prices moderate and production efficient. This stands in opposition to socialism, a system in which the means of production are owned by the state.
What are the pros and cons of democracy?
Democracy is the backbone of many developed countries, but is it really the ideal form of government that it's made out to be? In these trying times, and with the 2020 American presidential election just around the corner, the debate rages perhaps now more than ever: What are the pros and cons of democracy?
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 are the pros and cons of Liberalism?
Liberalism is a political philosophy based on the ideas of liberty and equality. This includes freedom of speech, religion, press, civil rights, free markets, secular governments, Democratic societies, and gender equality. Historians and Philosophers consider John Locke, the father of Liberalism.
What are the pros and cons of living in the US?
The United States of America has for many years been a nation admired around the world for its commitment to freedom and democracy, scientific achievements, and popular culture. But what is it like to live in the United States today? Does US history reflect its current quality of life for its citizens?
What are the pros and cons of monopolies?
The word monopolies has negative connotations in economic history, but recently monopolies have been praised by people such as Warren Buffett and Peter Thiel. The arguments for and against are not new, but now they have better empirical support.
What are the pros and cons of nihilism?
What are the upsides and downsides of nihilism, the view that life has no inherent meaning? This entry maps the positions — that nihilism carries real advantages, and that it carries serious disadvantages.
What are the pros and cons of police wearing body cameras?
Police body cameras can eliminate issues of hearsay between parties when others are not present at the time of an incident. There are, however, concerns about their reliability, how these cameras are used, what impact they have on police officers' health, issues of privacy and how much they assist.
What are the pros and cons of political correctness?
Does PC culture stagnate a society’s progression, or does it set better more inclusive terms for everyone? Is political correctness useful? Has political correctness gone too far?
What are the pros and cons of Populism in politics?
2016 established the ascendancy of Populist parties. The UK Brexit vote was soon followed by the election of former property magnate Donald Trump to the US Presidency. In the years since, this political trend has become an even more powerful force. Especially in European democracies. Newer parties are being elected on anti-establishment platforms that threaten the post-war liberal consensus. Whether right-wing or ultra-leftist, populist parties are now setting the political agenda across the continent . What does this mean for Europe's democracies, economies and political landscapes?
What are the pros and cons of social medias impact on mental health during the coronavirus pandemic?
The coronavirus pandemic has led to significant lifestyle changes and isolation measures across the world. Social media has provided a platform for people to stay connected, communicate with friends and family, and engage with the news and current affairs. However, there is a lot of research and concern for the role of social media in the increasing mental health rates, particularly amongst teenagers. Also, the coronavirus ‘news fatigue’ which has led to many disengaging from social media during the pandemic. So, what are the pros and cons of social medias role in the pandemic regarding mental health?
What are the pros and cons of The Green New Deal?
To address the gravity of the climate crisis in the United States, some politicians created a plan called the Green New Deal. The goal of this plan, broadly speaking, is to create a healthy environment for future generations to call home. However, there are numerous positions on the Green New Deal.
What are the pros and cons of trying juveniles as adults in court?
The criminal justice system operates with the understanding that a juvenile’s action may not be the same as an adult’s - and, instead, that the juvenile might merit unique consideration under the law - and that punishment should perhaps be tailored towards development and reform. However, this has resulted in controversy. Should everyone be sentenced equally regardless of their age? Or should society recognise that juveniles are too young to fully consider the consequences of their actions to be tried as adults?