50 Sample Topics for Discussion

Topics for discussion

The topics to discuss They are those that generate very different positions in people, that is, people tend to have very different opinions in relation to these issues.

The topics to be discussed have to make people reflect, because a debate is an event in which you can learn from others.

For a good debate it is important that the participants know a lot about the topic, argue their ideas well and listen to others.

Examples of topics for discussion

1. The cities of the future. While you cannot know how things will be in the future, you can make hypotheses. Regarding cities, there may be more pessimistic hypotheses (for example, cities will be more chaotic) or more optimistic hypotheses (for example, cities will be ideal places to live). There are some questions regarding this issue: Will cities be sustainable or smart? Will public transportation and transit improve? Will the cost of living in major cities be more expensive than elsewhere?
2. Assisted death. Assisted death includes euthanasia, assisted suicide, and terminal sedation. These types of interventions are not the same, but all three pose ethical and legal dilemmas. For example: Should a person be able to decide when to die? Can doctors be conscientious objectors to these practices if they are legal in their country or state? Can a person who is suffering make the decision not to have life-prolonging treatment?
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3. Social reintegration for people deprived of liberty. This issue generates many debates, because in most countries it is an issue that has not yet been resolved efficiently. How can people deprived of liberty be reintegrated into society? How to prevent them from committing crimes again? Are there special work and follow-up programs for people who were in jail?
4. The right to a quality education. Education is a right because it is something fundamental in the life of a person, since it has a strong impact in the jobs that someone will do, in socialization, in what will be learned, in opportunities, among others stuff. But it is not always guaranteed that all people can access a quality education that allows them to have better opportunities in the future. Does the state have to be in charge of providing quality education for all? How? What things are learned in school that are essential? What differentiates a good education from a bad education?
5. Use of cell phones at work. Cell phones can be very useful at work, because they allow people to contact their clients, check email, send and receive information, etc. But do cell phones always make people work better, or do they also create distractions? In companies and factories, should the use of these electronic devices be prohibited or limited?
6. The image of people. The image of a person is very important since a lot of information about someone is transmitted through it. But is image everything? Is there a balance between image and personality? How much do you have to worry about the image? Which image is most valued according to the time?
7. Romantic love and stereotypes. Romantic love assumes that in a relationship the two people will always be happy if they are together, but in the present There are many people who question this idea, because it is understood that it is an ideal and that it is something that does not always agree with the reality. From feminism romantic love is criticized because it assigns stereotypes of how women and men should be. In relation to this it can be debated: Does romantic love exist? Can it be real or is it just an idealization? What negative consequences, such as frustration, can idealization produce?
8. Feminism struggles. There are many struggles of feminism that changed the way society works, for example, the female vote, the search for equality between men and women and demands to the different institutions to act to eradicate violence from gender. However, not all feminist struggles are recognized as valid.
9. Governance systems. In many countries, there is a democratic system of government, but not in others. What is a democracy and what is a parliamentary monarchy? Are all democracies the same? How is a democracy different from other systems of government?
10. Influence of large corporations on the political agenda. Large corporations have a great weight in the economy, production and finance and, in some cases, have a lot of influence on politics in general or on certain decisions made by people in office politicians. Large corporations have positive aspects, such as creating many jobs and making large investments. But, always when large corporations are favored, citizens are also favored? When does a democracy become a corporatocracy?
11. The war industry. At present the arms industry is one of the industries that raises the most money, it is say that there is a lot of production and therefore a lot of sale and a lot of work in relation to this industry. But this issue can be debated from an ethical approach: What are these weapons used for? Could the money invested in continuing to manufacture weapons be invested in other types of industries or in humanitarian causes?
12. genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is a science that studies and produces the manipulation of the genes of certain organisms. In recent years this science has evolved considerably and has many applications, for example, the production of transgenic foods, the diagnosis of certain diseases and the manufacture of medicines. But there are ethical debates in relation to the application of this science in relation to cloning, with consequences that transgenic food productions have on the environment, among others stuff.
13. Youth role models. Many celebrities are role models for many people, especially young people, since they tend to imitate their idols in many ways. In some cases these role models have positive influences on young people, but in other cases they have negative influences. But how do you know if an influence of this type is positive or negative? In what cases can this influence be dangerous?
14. Fanaticism. Fanaticism is the excessive feeling of passion that one has for a theory, a sport team, an ideology, a religion, among other things. In some cases fanaticism is just a defense of something, but in other cases it can lead people to act violently. In relation to this, you can debate about the difference between a person who is firm in her convictions or who feels fanaticism about something.
15. Gender violence. Gender-based violence has always existed, but in recent years it has become more visible through complaints in the courts, in the media, in demonstrations and in other spaces. However, there are still cases of this type of violence. What could be done from the state regarding this issue? How to detect violence? What to do if an acquaintance is a victim of gender violence?
16. Research in humans. Research in human beings can be carried out from different sciences, such as medicine or social sciences, and usually provides very significant contributions in the different disciplines. In many cases, the research focuses on analyzing information, but the people involved in these types of projects are supposed to give their consent. But what laws are there in relation to this type of investigation? How are human clinical trials regulated? How does ethics intervene in this type of research in the world?
17. The violation of human rights in the world. Since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, the rights that all people in the world have were established, but these rights are often violated. In relation to this, it is possible to debate: In what situations or in what places are human rights violated? What could be done to ensure that they are guaranteed? What are the fundamental rights of all people?
18. Consumer society. A consumer society can have advantages. For example: there is a lot of production and growth in the economy, people can access quality products and have high purchasing power. But it can also have downsides. For instance; many products have a short shelf life and a lot of waste is generated that harms the environment. In relation to this, it can be debated: Can there be a balance in this type of society? Are you consuming more than you need? Can you create a model that is sustainable for the environment and for the economy?
19. Conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories assume that there is a truth that power groups hide and, in general, they are quite popular. For example, flat Earth. But, what foundations do these theories have? Why do so many people believe in them? What consequences can they produce in society?
20. Migration crises. Migration crises are a very worrying issue today, as there are massive migrations in many parts of the world. Regarding this issue, it can be debated: How should countries act with refugees? What causes a crisis of this type? What global solutions can be given to this type of crisis?

More examples of topics for discussion

1. Freedom of expression and censorship
2. Hunting animals
3. Privacy on social media
4. The place of the monarchy in democracies
5. Feminism
6. The death penalty
7. Compulsory voting in democratic elections
8. Nuclear weapons
9. Technological advance
10. Citizen participation in democracy
11. Surveillance cameras in the streets
12. The lifespan of electronic devices
13. Biofuels
14. The relationship between happiness and money
15. Misinformation
16. Trash in the oceans
17. The desnutrition
18. Overpopulation
19. Deforestation
20. The culture of the image in social networks
21. Mental health
22. The use of agrochemicals
23. The melting of the glaciers
24. Astrology
25. The discrimination
26. The prejudices
27. The pay gap
28. Remote work
29. The growth of cities
30. The glass ceiling

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