Philosophy debate topics

Philosophy takes up the questions that do not go away: what exists, what we can know, and how we should live. Some of them, such as whether God exists or how evil can fit with a good and powerful creator, have been argued for thousands of years without one agreed answer.

The point of debating them is not always to win. It is to see what follows from an idea, where an argument is strong, and where it depends on a hidden assumption. Good philosophical debate defines its terms, distinguishes one version of a claim from another, and notes which premises each side accepts.

These topics also touch deep beliefs, so respect is part of the method. You can challenge an argument firmly while treating the person who holds it with courtesy. Asking questions often does more than making claims.

Pick a topic below, choose a side, and debate it live or by turns with someone who disagrees. It is fine to defend a position that is not your own, since seeing the strongest case for the other view is part of the exercise.