What are some good philosophy discussion topics or ideas?

Question

I am looking for some new ideas for discussion in the philosophy club at my school.

We've already discussed objectivism vs. relativism, free will, consciousness, can violence or war ever be justified, dualism vs. materialism, and altruism.

Answer 1

My personal favorite topic is the philosophy of time. Some of the traditional questions:

(1) Does time "flow" in the forward direction, or is this only an illusion
(2) If time does move "forward", how is this possible since the laws of physics are time symmetric
(3) Is the future "real" in the sense that the present or past is regarded as "real"
(4) Is time itself "real" or "illusion" (or "subjective", "absolute vs. relative", etc.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_time

Here's a question I posted awhile back that could be the basis for a debate or discussion:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArBRaohJRiTWMQ3FEEAd78Tsy6IX?qid=20060806223811AAgeONp

Good luck!

Answer 2

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RE:
What are some good philosophy discussion topics or ideas?
I am looking for some new ideas for discussion in the philosophy club at my school.

We've already discussed objectivism vs. relativism, free will, consciousness, can violence or war ever be justified, dualism vs. materialism, and altruism.

Answer 3

anything could be a topic. what is the best political system, what grounding does law have in nature or morality, consequentialist vs. deontological ethics, what constitutes knowledge, what is a scientific theory, the existence of god, why be good, etc. plus there is the merits of different thinkers and schools, like russell or phenomenology, that can be discussed. i don't know how often you meet or how serious the members are, but you might consider having readings, then meeting to discuss the readings.

Answer 4

The meaning of life. What is truth? What is knowledge and how do we know when we have it? Is there such a thing as God? How do you know that you aren't a brain in a Vat? How do you resolve the paradox: This sentence is false? What is the color Red?

Answer 5

As we mature our viewpoints change accordingly. If they don't then our opinions are usually of no use to anyone. Admitting mistakes and making changes in our own lives~ happen only after learning from our mistakes and changing our own behaviour so that we may see clearly where help is needed by others

Answer 6

What part do cultural philosophies play in maintaining global unrest? Is that part greater than or less than those of religion and economy?

Answer 7

Why is it that Christians as a whole don't want to die sooner?

Answer 8

is it true, that everything around us is real? justOne

Answer 9

" Dude, all we are, is dust in the wind, dust.....wind..."