Questions

Is spending time quarantined bad for your mental health?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left people who have come into contact with the virus self-isolating to avoid infecting others. As the world's population goes into quarantine, does spending time quarantined lead to negative mental health outcomes?

Is sport fandom a religion?

Does devotion to a sports team function like a religion? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that sports fandom is a religion, and that it is not — weighing ritual, community and belief against the differences.

Is Star Wars or Star Trek better?

Star Wars and Star Trek are both wildly popular space sagas, with rich story lines, that play out in different universes. Both Star Wars and Star Trek have been loved for generations and have huge fan bases. But which is better?

Is taxation theft?

Taxes have been raised for over 5,000 years. Without tax, so it claims, the state cannot maintain its functions and support its citizens. But some libertarians claim all taxation is immoral: the state stealing the money of the individual. Where does taxation cross the line between legitimate representation and legal plunder?

Is Taylor Swift a gay icon?

Taylor Swift is a talented musician and songwriter, one of the most famous people in the world, and has built a net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars through her immensely personal songs. Her millions of 'Swifties' are as fierce as they are loyal. But has Taylor built the same kind of following in the LGBT community? Could we consider Taylor Swift to be one of the modern day gay icons?

Is television the new cinema?

Has prestige television eclipsed film as the home of ambitious storytelling? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that television is the new cinema, and that it is not.

Is Thanos really a villain?

One of the latest villains in the esteemed and massively popular Marvel Cinematic universe is an alien named Thanos. Far above other beings, he believes that half of the world needs to be exterminated in order to save the planet. This may sound terrible, but Thanos has surprisingly understandable logic. Is Thanos evil, or justified in his claims?

Is the ability to learn language hardwired into children's brains?

After children are born, they typically learn their first language(s) seamlessly and without any instruction or correction needed. This has prompted some to think that children are born with the necessary structures in their brains to learn language, but not everyone agrees with this view.

Is the BJP dangerous?

Founded in 1950, modern India is a federal parliamentary democratic republic, with 28 states and 8 union territories. At the 2019 election, almost 614 million people voted, a record 67.1% voter turn out. The Bharativa Janata Party (BJP) was re-elected with a single-party majority, the first since 1971 to do so. With its alliance partners in the National Democratic Alliance, it won 353 of the 543 seats in the lower house or Lok Sabha. Since then many have speculated that the BJP is creating a dangerous political and social environment.

Is the dating ban for Korean idols in the K-Pop industry fair?

Dating ban is a rule that should be familiar to K-Pop fans, which strictly limits Korean idols dating life. It's a culture, and westerners might have a difficult time understanding why the rule exists. Unlike their western counterparts, for whom making their romantic lives public can be a key part of promotional activities (including allegedly staged relationships), K-Pop stars are often forbidden from disclosing personal details, with some even having a "no dating" clause in their contracts.

Is the Earth flat?

The shape of the Earth has been the subject of popular and scientific interest for millennia. Are theories about the Flat Earth correct, or does the Earth have curvature?

Is the Elbe Philharmonic Hall (Hamburg, Germany) ugly?

The new glossy construction in Hamburg resembles a hoisted sail, water wave, iceberg or quartz crystal. It sits on a top of an old warehouse building near the historical Speicherstadt. It was officially inaugurated with concerts on January 11, 2017.

Is the Entreprise in Star Trek a military ship?

Is the USS Enterprise in Star Trek a warship or a vessel of exploration? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the Enterprise is a military ship, and that it is not.

Is the gender pay gap a myth?

Under the Equal Pay Act of 1963 in the United States, an employer must pay male and female employees the same amount of money for equal work. Equal pay includes a worker’s yearly salary or hourly pay, in addition to overtime, benefits, and bonuses. The gender pay gap is the average difference in yearly earnings between male and female workers. Statistical research clearly indicates that women earn less money, on average, in a given year than their male counterparts. A debate emerges when feminists and gender equality advocates define the gender pay gap as being a form of systemic gender bias that results in women earning approximately 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. It can be argued that although women on average do earn less than men, this is not a form of conscious or systemic gender bias in the workplace, thus the gender pay gap as defined by the feminist movement does not exist.

Is the internet encouraging rebellion in Russia?

Is the internet fuelling dissent in Russia? This entry sets out the two positions on whether online platforms are encouraging rebellion against the Russian state: that the internet is encouraging it, and that it is not.

Is the internet of things beneficial for contemporary society?

Yes. Smart objects allow governments to collect data and plan for the benefit of citizens, eg helping to organise quarantine by measuring temperatures. No. Smart objects allow tyrannical governments to control subjects.

Is the Maharashtra government really serious about ecotourism?

Is the government of Maharashtra genuinely committed to ecotourism? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the government is serious about ecotourism, and that it is not.

Is the Met Gala distasteful?

The first Monday in May is a huge part of the fashion social calendar. Every year, the Met Gala is thrown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to benefit the Costume Institute. The event raises huge amounts of money, but is it just an excuse for capitalist worship of excess?

Is the practice of eugenics ethical?

It is difficult to disconnect the 20th century's unethical genetic practices from any modern discussion of eugenics. This history makes many people uncomfortable with the idea of genetic engineering. Since then, scientific practices have become far more ethical. Do modern eugenics overshadow the unethical past? Will the practice of eugenics always be unethical?

Is the South African constitution a model constitution for the rest of the world?

South Africa's post-apartheid constitution is widely admired for its rights protections, and just as widely questioned on its record in practice. This entry maps the two positions — that it is a model other countries should follow, and that it is not.

Is the theory of evolution by natural selection correct?

In the nineteenth century, Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace advanced a new theory to explain the origins of life on earth and the evolution of different lifeforms. They called it the theory of evolution by natural selection. Natural selection is the key mechanism by which all organisms have evolved. Today, many call the theory 'the theory of evolution' or 'Darwin's theory of evolution' (since Wallace is not as well-known).

Is the TikTok security threat real?

TikTok is a wildly popular and successful social media and video platform that was created in China and has taken over the world. But with unprecedented amounts of personal data information now available to this Chinese company, some nations are concerned about security. Is TikTok a security risk?

Is the United States exceptional?

American exceptionalism is the belief that America is the greatest and freest nation on earth, destined to guide mankind to true freedom. The supporters of this idea adduce America's unique history and establishment, as well as its values, ideals, and strength.

Is the US about to split the internet?

Is the United States poised to fracture the global internet into rival systems? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the US is about to split the internet, and that it is not.

Is the wellness industry racist?

The wellness industry has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in light of the health effects (both mental and physical) surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Numerous critiques have suggested that the industry as a whole is not inclusive, and fails to acknowledge specific cultures and practices. Is the wellness industry racist?

Is the world getting better or worse?

Few questions divide optimists and pessimists more sharply. This entry maps the debate over whether the world is improving or declining, weighing the position that the world is getting better against the view that it is getting worse.

Is theocracy good?

Theocracy is a form of government in which God or a deity of some type is recognised as the supreme ruling authority, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries that manage the day to day affairs of the government who claim they are in power due to the divine will of their God or gods. Famous theocracies throughout history include the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire where Emperors were often declared gods.

Is there a correlation between capitalism and income inequality?

The political debate around whether capitalism and the tenets of free market socioeconomic modeling are beneficial for society has been raging for hundreds of years. Within a modern context, the topic of income inequality (especially within largely capitalistic countries like the United States and, to an extent, the UK) has emerged alongside the effects of the free market on the world economy. So, a big question within both the economic and political realm asks: Is there a correlation between capitalism and income inequality?

Is there a language that is most difficult to learn?

Many languages are notoriously difficult for English speakers to learn. Linguists have claimed that some languages are objectively more complex than others, while other linguists claimed that all languages are equally complex or complex in their own way, with their writing systems, grammar structures, number of possible syllables, pronunciation, and more. Are languages objectively or relatively difficult to learn?

Is there a social media bias?

Do social media platforms systematically favour some viewpoints over others? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that there is a social media bias, and that there is not.

Is there ever a responsibility to use contraception?

As people globally are having wider access to contraception, should we be evaluating how this has affected our wider moral thinking within society? To what extent, if at all, do we have accountability over having protected sex?

Is there life on Venus?

Could the clouds of Venus harbour life? This entry maps the positions on the question — that there is life on Venus, that there is not, and that the evidence remains too uncertain to say either way.

Is there too much money in football?

From humble beginnings, football has exploded into one of the most-watched sports in the world. Far from being just a game, football is now a multi-billion dollar industry. But does compromise the integrity of the game? Would football be better if there was less money involved?

Is Tony Blair a war criminal?

The Chilcot Inquiry into former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's invasion of Iraq argues the invasion was unnecessary and against the UN's recommendations. Many argue this disregard for international law makes Tony Blair a war criminal, and he should be tried in an international court for war crimes.

Is torture ever justified?

Torture is the intentional use of extreme physical suffering on a non-consenting, defenceless person for the purpose of breaking their will. While it is a horrific act, defendants argue that torture can produce information that is extremely valuable to governments and can save many lives.

Is tourism beneficial to developing countries?

Everywhere is a tourist destination nowadays. With flights available every hour, the possibilities are endless. However, this combined with the internet's ability to help people plan trips anywhere means that many developing countries that previously had no tourism now are flooded with them. When tourists land in a country in the midst of developing, is it beneficial to that place? Or is it detrimental?

Is Trump is a person devoid of good character?

This entry maps the debate over Donald Trump's character, setting out the opposing positions on the question — that he is a person devoid of good character, and that he possesses good character.

Is Universal Basic Income a good idea?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a program in which all people receive a regular sum of money unconditionally, regardless of employment or current wages. Proposed UBI programs vary across the world. This allows different UBI programs to align with both progressive and conservative goals. Several UBI pilot studies have been tried throughout the world, but the interpretations of results vary. UBI proponents consider many questions about logistics, economics, and human behavior: How will UBI be funded? Who will receive the income, every person or every household? Will people stop working or will greater economic stability allow them to better contribute to society?

Is VAR good for football?

FIFA, football's global governing body, along with those bodies running the game at regional and countrywide levels are gradually introducing more technology into the game in a bid to assist referees, prevent incorrect decisions and enhance the game's image.

Is violence always wrong?

Violence is the use of force or power. According to the World Health Organization, it is divided into three broad categories: self-directed violence, interpersonal violence, and collective violence. The question of why violence is inflicted upon oneself or someone else is open to question. Could we categorize all violence as bad, or is some violence necessary to prevent people from committing punishable crimes?

Is voter fraud a myth?

Voting processes have been questioned for generations, with fraud at the centre of many claims. This entry maps the debate over whether significant voter fraud is a myth, setting out the positions that it is, and that it is not.

Is war ethical?

War can be an act of aggression by a nation or often a last resort of nations dealing with conflict. With terrible human and other costs, is war ever justified or ethical?

Is wearing a bindi cultural appropriation?

Bindis are a popular accessory worn by South Asian women, but they are being increasingly worn by Western women as a fashion accessory. There is increasing debate about whether this use is cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation.

Is Western liberalism obsolete?

In a 2019 interview with the Financial Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Western liberalism "obsolete". He is not alone. The death of the West's ideological mainstay, is being discussed by everyone, from former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, to Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, and high-profile journalists including Edward Luce and James Traub. Authoritarian China is ascendant. Free trade, the rule of law, freedom of movement and tolerance are in trouble around the world. So, has the cluster of ideas known as Western liberalism had its day?

Is white fragility real?

In July 2020, "White Fragility" topped the New York Times Bestseller list. Though two years had passed since its publication, protests following George Floyd's murder thrust its controversial theory of race back into the mainstream. Written by University of Washington Professor Robin DiAngelo, the book claims that white people sustain racism by refusing to engage with it. The idea assumes that white people consider themselves the "default" race, and actively avoid and undermine challenges to this worldview. As the thesis has gained traction, it has also come under criticism for being reductive and choosing to see entire populations based on race. So, who are the groups forming around this debate, what do they believe and why?

Is working from home better than working from an office?

With much of the world now working from home, it is time to revisit the question, is it better? From mental health, to productivity, to cost, is WFH really better than traditional office environments? Is WFH the future of work?

Is Zimbabwe extending an olive branch to its white farmers?

Decades after its contested land seizures, is Zimbabwe reaching out to its dispossessed white farmers? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Zimbabwe is extending an olive branch to white farmers, and that it is not.

lowering the age of criminal respopnsibility

Parliaに日本語対応をお願いするべきか Should Parlia make a Japanese branch site?

Wikipediaが各言語でサイトを分けているように、Parlia（パーリア）も日本語サイトを用意してもらえないか？また、地域による意見の相違はどのように扱うのが良いか？

Proud Boys - Who are far-right group that backs Donald Trump?

This entry maps how the Proud Boys are characterised — from their self-description as 'western chauvinists' opposed to political correctness, to characterisations of the group as a far-right, neo-fascist, white-supremacist, anti-LGBTQ and Islamophobic organisation.