Controversial Questions Flashcards
Politics, religion, morality, etc. Warning: These might ruin your family reunion!
Which technology should not have been invented?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Do women have any systemic privilege due to their gender?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Do men suffer any systemic oppression due to their gender?
Of all the beliefs you hold, which is most likely to be considered barbaric in 150 years?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
What political viewpoint is the most difficult for you to empathize with?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
What’s the most controversial political or social opinion you hold among your own social group?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Which of your beliefs would be the most difficult to change, even in the face of overwhelming evidence?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Which stereotype is actually pretty accurate?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
You can make a designer baby. Would you rather optimize it primarily for intelligence or for happiness/optimism?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Do you believe in astrology? What about psychics?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
How do you feel about the #MeToo movement?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
How do you feel about Elon Musk?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
How do you feel about Donald Trump?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should drugs be legalized? All, or just some? (which?)
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Who should be the one to pay on a first date?
(And if it is not split evenly on the first date, then after how many dates should the other person start paying half?)
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
What is the definition of a woman?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should trans women (born men) be allowed to participate in professional women’s sports?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should men still be the primary providers in a household?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Do you think the world is better or worse because of religion?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should abortion be legal? If so, in what cases (or all)?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should government insurance pay for birth control?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Do we allow too many immigrants into this country, or not enough? What should be the appropriate immigration restrictions?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Is polyamory morally wrong? If so, does that mean that all humans who existed before marriage was invented were morally questionable?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
At what age should kids be allowed to use social media?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
What should social media platforms do about racist or bigoted hate speech online?
(Where to draw the line on “freedom of speech”?)
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should standardized testing be abolished?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should cell phones be allowed in classrooms?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should teachers or guards have guns in schools for protection?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should children be allowed to choose their gender?
What about getting gender-affirming surgery (before, during, or after puberty)?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should affirmative action be abolished?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should public schools be allowed to teach creationism?
If so, how should it be presented vs. the theory of evolution? How much time should be given to each?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should prisoners have the right to vote?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should college be free for everyone? (Paid for by taxpayers)
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should the United States maintain diplomatic relations with countries that violate human rights?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
If there were another mandatory war draft, should women be required to register?
(In the name of modern equality)
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should the United States prioritize renewable energy over traditional sources?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should commercial whaling be banned? If so, why not ban hunting deer or fishing?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should gambling be legal? If so, should there be any restrictions?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
What about protein powder? Or caffeine before a game? Where to draw the line?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should schools ban any books?
Or could all books be a good source of educational discussion, even if they are inappropriate or morally wrong?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should there be a term limit for elected officials?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should this country require a background check for all gun purchases?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should this country adopt a national gun registry system?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should the death penalty ever be used? If so, for what crimes? And for juveniles?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
What should be the rules for transsexuals using public bathrooms?
And does it matter if they’ve had gender reassignment surgery yet or not? If so, who should “check”?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should there be a minimum wage?
What if the higher minimum wage increases unemployment, by making it harder for some companies to hire more workers?
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
Should facial recognition technology be banned in public places?
Some say that the advanced video camera technology helps police solve crimes, find missing/kidnapped persons, and find suspects on the run.
Others say it is a violation of privacy and a risk of government overreach.
(Remember to be respectful of others’ views, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. It is perfectly ok to pass on a question!)
