There are plenty of topics to discuss. We propose 12 very interesting options.
Debate is a very interesting and enriching didactic tool. If the class environment allows it, it is a good way to explore different points of view on complex issues.
In this article we present 12 interesting topics to present in a debate, with a brief explanation of how we could organize it.
These are the most interesting topics to expose in debates or classes
A good presentation or discussion topic helps to attract the attention of those who participate in it. Make the most of this exercise by choosing an interesting topic, so everyone will be more involved in the task.
1. Climate change
Climate change is a topic of paramount importance in recent times, since we must act quickly to reduce our footprint on the ecosystem or expose ourselves to the possible end of civilization as we know it by 2050.
It may be interesting in this debate to represent those who argue that climate change is human-caused against those who believe that climate change, if it exists, is not human-caused (ie, non-anthropogenic).
2. Our economic system
The economic system operating in the vast majority of the world today is capitalism, according to which the growth of companies favors the wealth of the population.
But there are alternative systems, with ideas worth exploring. This debate is interesting, because the participants can present several different ideas to the current system. More or less regulation of the market? Should the state actively participate in social policies, or let the free market take over?
The options are endless and it will be necessary to rely on literature and statistics to justify our points of view, but it can lead to an unforgettable debate session.
- Another controversial topic: “The 15 types of abortion (and their characteristics)”
3. Equal conditions vs equal results
In this debate we will deal with the consequences and objectives of two very different policies regarding the state’s actions towards the population. Should we ensure that everyone has equal opportunities throughout their lives, or be more aggressive and ensure that different groups have guaranteed representation in different areas? Similar questions should be explored during this discussion.
The equality of conditions ensures that all individuals in a society have the same opportunities as any other individual, but its implementation is complicated or even utopian. Equality of results ensures that all groups have the same job opportunities, but on the other hand it imposes artificial categories on society.
4. Political drill
In this debate exercise, a current controversial issue is chosen (for example, we should raise more taxes on those who earn more money) and a “roleplay” is attempted, that is, assuming the roles (in English, “roles”) of different political factions.
This can be done by reading your electoral program, for example, or by using your imagination. A relatively relaxed exercise in debate and politics.
5. Are viruses alive?
Especially in medical and biological circles, this is a very interesting debate that raises questions about the limit of life . Viruses are incapable of reproducing without infecting other organisms, so they are classically considered non-living, since one of the essential classical characteristics of living beings is their ability to reproduce.
In this discussion we will see how tenuous is the distinction between the living and the non-living. If this is too simple a discussion for your level, we can go a little further and ask ourselves if prions are alive or not.
6. Euthanasia
Euthanasia is a hot topic today. There are countries, such as Switzerland, that allow it (under the criterion of assisted suicide, that is, it is the patient who commits suicide with the help of medical personnel). Should we let people decide when to die? Under what conditions?
- You might also be interested in: “Why does Finland have the best education in the world?”
7. Eat meat
Veganism is the clear food alternative for those who do not tolerate animal suffering. Excessive consumption of meat is also linked to diseases such as colon cancer and the industry that allows it, mistreats animals while significantly polluting the environment.
To what extent is it justified to feed on another living being? Is it justifiable? This debate will raise some blisters and open the eyes of those who have never asked these questions. Probably the sides have opposing views on the importance of the life of animals compared to that of humans… Oh, and be careful not to fall into naturalistic fallacies! That something is natural, like being traditional, does not necessarily imply that it is better than its alternatives.
8. Regulation of drug use
Drug use and its effects is something that has been talked about a lot in recent years, but it is always a very interesting topic to deal with, especially among young people, who are at the age of starting their first experiences.
It is very important to know well the adversities of drug use, as well as the risks they present not only to those who consume them, but to others , as we see in the side effects of tobacco, car accidents derived from alcohol consumption…
9. Investigation of differences between the sexes
This topic of debate is proposed since there are people who think that research should not be done to verify the differences between men and women, for example at the level of brain structure, since it strengthens the erroneous beliefs of superiority of one sex over the other.
Despite this, thanks to this type of research, we can discover differences that can greatly help the different sexes, as is the example of the different symptoms of myocardial infarction according to sex, or disparate psychological risk tendencies between the sexes.
10. Limits of freedom of expression
To what extent are we allowed to express ourselves however we want? Should fallacious arguments fall of their own weight, or should we disallow them based on what they advocate? This is a classic topic of discussion that is always interesting to visit.
As a recommendation, researching fascism and the measures that were taken to prevent it after the Second World War will give you a lot of topic in this debate.
11. Nuclear power
In the new paradigm of clean energy, nuclear energy seems to be a thing of the past. Horrors such as what happened in Chernobyl or Fukushima remind us of the danger of this technology, especially when used improperly.
Even so, nuclear energy has the capacity to become a very low-polluting and tremendously effective energy, which could help us in the future and perhaps it is better not to rule it out too soon. This discussion writes itself.
12. Automation
Automation is the process by which jobs previously done by people become tasks done by robots. Ideally, this is a good thing, as these are usually heavy, monotonous, or unpleasant jobs. On the other hand, the loss of jobs that are not going to be recovered forces workers to make a living in other fields, which is not always possible.
This debate has historical roots, since since the industrial revolution there has been a fear of job loss. Is history repeating itself or is it a different problem from that of the 19th century? To debate.
These are some of the topics that we propose, but there are an infinity of them. From our portal, we encourage you to discuss (in a friendly way) and investigate as much as you can. What good is culture if it is not shared?
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.