Questions
Ridgedale Library | St. Paul |
Burnsville
From
Burnsville Socrates Café in Minnesota
Started November 1st, 2005
The Tuesday Burnsville group is still meeting although we have not been updating the questions.
If you would like any of the questions for this group please contact Jon.
11/18/08
How do/should we use morality?
Why do we like music?
What is justice?
Would Hilary make a good Secretary of State?
Do we have a right to not be offended?
How would a philosopher talk to a racist?
Are income taxes constitutionally legal?
11/11/08
Morality - why are naked people dangerous?
What is justice?
How are myths propagated?
Why do we experience the world in a certain way if it's not really like that?
What is human nature?
11/4/08
What can keep a civilization from stagnation?
Should we have a test to vote?
What is justice?
Is the electoral college the best way to do elections?
Should the United States adopt a parlimentary system?
Should polling places be in churches?
Should we encourage people to vote?
top
10/28/08
What is culture?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
Are we asking the right questions?
What is art?
What is the purpse of asking questions? What's the goal of "this"?
10/21/08
What does it mean to be an American?
What is normal?
How does one have a productive conversation with someone that disagrees?
What is truth and justice?
Are we asking the right questions?
Is evolution over for humankind?
Is social justice just?
10/14/08
Why is America conservative?
Are we finally at war with oil?
What is the value of trust?
Why are Americans embarassed to admit they are socialists?
Should government ever subsidize the arts/recreation?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of idiology?
Why don't we care about our government spending?
10/7/08
If we are not sheep why do we need religion/politics/sports?
Do we really believe what we say?
Why do we like to complain?
Why don't we punish our white collar criminals enough?
What is greed?
top
9-23-08
What in the hell are we gonna do to fix this economy?
Is there anyway to have a reasonable discussion about contentious topics?
Is it moral under a national health care system to euthanize people with Alzheimer's?
Global government: yea or nay?
Can we solve everything with money?
9-16-08
Have we gone too far with our freedoms?
What is the "mind" made of?
What is patriotism?
Does complaining get anything done?
Is it all about pushing buttons?
How can dialogue resolve differences?
9-9-08
What is a problem?
Drill now?
What is a lie?
Are neoconservatives really Jewish?
Palin?
Pro-choice or pro-life?
Do we take enough time to think?
Is identity politics good?
9-2-8
Is what's good for capitalism good for the United States?
Why do we complain?
What makes life worth living?
Do we get too wedded to our pet theories?
How could anarchy make sense?
Where does dissent end and disruption begin?
Are the differences between liberals and conservatives important?
What is cheating?
top
8-26-08
What determines how culture develops?
Why do we like to complain?
Is effective leadership important?
Is materialism immoral?
What makes something moral?
8-19-08
Do vice presidents matter?
Should we be subsidizing biofuels, why or why not?
Should we subsidize, period?
Why do we like to complain?
Should teachers be allowed to carry weapons?
Is the difference between knowledge and wisdom important?
United States class warfare: who is winning?
Should we respect people that do not respect us?
Does life require purpose?
Is "in God we trust" unconstitutional?
8-12-08
What are the kinds of innocence and why does it matter?
What is war vs. terrorism?
What is life?
Has the Cold War ended or is it just in remission?
Is progress in society based on inequality?
Are we asking the right questions?
Where is the line between dissent and disruption?
8-5-08
Energy crisis: who are we foolin'?
Why is it ok to lie about sex?
Is art as important as our society treats it?
Philosophically, how should we analyze nationaized health care?
Is there evil?
top
7-27-08
How do we justify our excesses?
Why are we here?
What does "carpe diem" mean to you?
What is okay?
Why aren't women in battle?
Is there a way to test ideology?
What causes frenzy?
Is our American standard of living doomed to decline?
7-22-08
Has the banking and credit markets put the United States in jeopardy?
What is love?
Why do we laugh at jokes?
Is infidelity genetic?
Why does emotion override intelligence/common sense?
Why aren't women going into battle?
How do we justify our excesses?
How does risk belong to life?
What is culture?
7-15-08
What is a crisis?
Are we victims of society?
What are the differences in morals between classes?
Can equality and freedom be reconciled?
How should we think about what we think?
Do we need something to believe in?
7-8-08
Is art more important than science?
What should we eat?
Patriotism?
What is courage?
Are we victims of society?
Big picture/details; is there a better approach?
Is envy a sin?
Will the concept of social justice destroy western civilization?
What makes a group think better?
Why do we bother with evil?
7-1-08
What happens to good and evil if it is just brain chemistry?
What is the difference between what people say and what they feel?
Is art important?
Is infidelity genetic?
Are we the victims of society?
Should we nationalize oil companies?
Why are members of our species drawn to the fictional experience?
top
6-24-08
Is the United States behaving democratically?
Will economic freedom destroy the world?
Are special interests destroying capitalism?
Has marriage outlasted its practical usefulness?
Does the corporate environment breed disfunction?
Would a military draft be a good thing?
Is envy a sin?
Does the average United States citizen understand money?
Men vs. women: who's better?
6-17-08
What is art and what is science?
What does it mean to be true to yourself?
Has marriage outlived its practical purpose for society?
Why are men better than women?
What makes life worth living when is it time to die?
Are special interests destroying capitalism?
6-10-08
Have special interests gone too far?
What is culture?
Can the relative decline of western civilization be attributed to women's sufferage?
What if anything does maturity have to do with freedom?
Has humor contributed to racism and bigotry?
What are the differences between men and women?
Economy vs. civilization?
Why Chris?
6-3-08
Death?
Is infidelity genetic?
Are all cultures equal?
What makes a nation civilized?
What is normal?
Is standardized testing a good thing?
Is privacy limited to trespass?
What should be taught in school?
top
5-27-08
Why do we prefer the beautiful, elegant, etc?
Do contrary facts change core beliefs?
What is a liberal/conservative?
What does psychiatry do?
Has greed overrun integrity?
What constitutes consent?
What makes "you" the person that you are?
5-20-08
What does reality have to do with what we think?
What makes "you" the person that you are?
How honest are we with ourselves?
Do ideas that incorporate human protection do more harm than good?
How do you define fun?
How easily are we manipulated?
Are there moral issues with the mixing of human embryos with other animals?
Can our culture keep pace with technological change?
5-13-08
Are people created equal with respect to their purpose in life?
Is the study of philosophy a science or an art?
If you were president what would you do?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
What is "normal" and is it ok?
Why are we here?
How can we help?
Would direct democracy be a good idea?
Do facts really affect beliefs?
5-6-08
Where do demons come from?
Do we care if athletes use performance enhancing drugs?
If there is no god, what is worth dying/killing for?
Why do Americans value youth so much?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
What is the public good?
top
4-29-08
Euthanasia or painful existence?
What are the requirements of inspirational leadership?
What does beauty do?
Is peace a moral idea?
How do you make people laugh?
What is more important: what you say or how you say it?
Why does it snow in April?
Can there be justice with the 5th Amendment?
Are we only as strong as our weakest link?
What is most important: what happens to you or what you think about what happens to you?
4-22-08
What moves us?
Is war immoral?
Does anger ever work?
Age of consent/Texas polygamy?
Is the world changing; how so?
TV: positive or negative?
What would we do without oil?
Does religion override custom/law?
How long will the recession last?
What makes something humorous?
4-15-08
Which affects us most: love or fear?
Are fear ramping and persistence being used in excess?
Do we create our own karma?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
If we are vibrational entities do our thoughts matter?
Do animals have consciousness?
Does the human concept of perception do more harm than good?
4-8-08
What is the relationship between pain and happiness?
What is progress?
What is the cause of laughter?
Is America about to fail?
What is an ideal justice system?
What is the origin of happiness?
Is there a "win-win" or does there always have to be a loser?
Are corporations getting to big to manage?
Do boys ever grow up?
Is lobbying inherently evil?
4-1-08
When is it right to do wrong?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
The ring of power/why?
Does the universe make sense?
Is a free thinker one against the establishment?
What is the relationship between morality and fidelity?
What is love; is it real?
What is an answer worth?
What should be the focal point of US foreign policy?
Do we (act like) we own the Earth or are we just a part of it?
top
3-25-08
Can you sell your soul?
Does history repeat itself?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
What are the consequences of a population that does well beyond 100 years of age?
Is there any justification for government subsidies for the Arts?
Does truth transcend reality?
3-18-08
Judges: elect them or select them?
What is the difference between healthcare from companies and the government?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
Why are property values going down and property taxes going up?
What would happen if all Americans had to live in communes?
How should the Supreme Court rule on the 2nd Amendment?
Does language enhance or detract from experience?
Is insurance for legal representation a good idea?
3-11-08
What rights should an adoptee have?
Is prostitution a victimless crime?
What is the value of trust?
What role should morality play in American politics?
How can we know what we can't see or touch?
What is most important: what happens to you or what you think about what happens to you?
3-4-08
Why lie?
How valuable is the power of persuasion?
Is our freedom based upon economic education?
What would our world be like without fossil fuel?
When in life is fear most important?
Is a military draft a good idea?
How does money translate into power?
Would it be a good thing to win the lottery?
top
2-26-08
Why is there suffering?
Do we still need the 5th Amendment to the US Constitution?
Should the Constitution be a living document?
Does life imitate art or does art imitate life?
Is there absolute truth?
Is it possible to separate religion and politics?
2-19-08
What are the greatest threats to our democracy?
How important is the truth?
Should the Constitution be a living document?
Does language enhance or subtract from experience?
How does fear effect our ability to learn?
Is there an absolute morality?
2-12-08
What is the value of trust?
Does our civilization need heroes?
What is the best method for nominating judges?
Should a president be a veteran?
Why is there chaos?
If you have had a bad life, does that make you a bad person?
2-05-08
What are the components of a good idea?
What price would you pay for absolute knowledge?
How messed up is the voting system?
How much trust is enough?
Should government subsidize the arts?
Why is Obama popular?
Do we learn more from our successes or our failures?
top
1-27-08
If God does not protect the sanctity of the individual what does?
Will the world come to a mono-culture?
Is there ever justification for public subsidies for the arts?
Do we create our own chaos?
How many social programs are too much?
What role does fear have in being afraid?
"Anything is possible," is it true?
1-22-08
Why do we philosophize?
What is the relevance of history?
Should we care if athletes use performance enhancing drugs?
How should an insurance company be run?
Can we live without stereotypes?
What is art?
1-15-08
What does "love thy enemy" mean?
What should we do to increase the health of the nation?
What is a hero?
How much control do we have over our own happiness?
What legal rights should non-human animals have?
What is imagination?
What are the most important issues in the election?
1-8-08
Who needs dogma?
How would we manage an insurance company?
What is more important, competition or cooperation?
What causes addictions?
What is a hero?
What if life was not personal?
Is the US decline inevitable?
Is nation supremacy attributable to being innovative?
What if Al Gore is right?
No Meetings on 12/25 or 1/1. Happy Holidays!
12-18-07
What if life was not personal?
What stories should we be telling our kids about America?
What is liberty and why do we care?
What is the legitimate role of government?
Why don't we like heroes?
How does our educational system relate if religion is our moral guide?
Do we believe in the real Jesus now?
12-11-07
What is freedom and why should we care?
What stories should we be telling our kids about America?
What do we think about Christmas?
How should we decide which government programs get funded/cut?
How do/should we understand experience?
If we can not trust our senses, can we trust our brains?
Is happiness hard work?
What is a hero?
12-04-07
Why do Republicans have better mental health?
What is a hero?
To what extent is censorship justified?
How do we come to "know thyself?"
Why can we no longer compromise?
How do we decide which government programs get cut?
top
11-27-07
Constitutional originalism and democracy?
What is a hero?
When does a person have enough?
Is a "human stud" socially acceptable?
What is truth?
What makes an idea original?
Can a person have "religiously" neutral beliefs?
What is good and bad about truthiness?
Are Americans becoming more ignorant?
11-20-07
Should we be practicing zero population growth?
What should we be thankful for?
Is strict constructivism the only way to interpret the law?
Written versus oral dialogue: what are advantages/disadvantages of each?
What is the legitimate role of government?
11-13-07
What is evil?
11-06-07
What is the foundation for moral belief other than religion?
Why did we go to Iraq?
Should we care if athletes use performance enhancing drugs?
Should the government ever subsidize arts?
Is President Bush moral?
Should citizens of the United States have the right to bear arms?
Are we ready for a female president?
top
10-30-07
Why travel?
Who/what defines evil?
Who needs dogma?
Is a global economy good?
Is the bible outdated?
Why did we go to Iraq?
10-23-07
What would a world government look like?
What is the value of life?
Can something which is asserted without evidence be dismissed without evidence?
Should standardized tests be required?
How does one come to "know thyself"?
Does exorcism work?
Should the government ever subsidize art?
Does torture work?
Is a person happier living for self or for others?
10-16-07
When/where is doubt useful?
What should a world governmentt look like?
Is a person happier living life for him/herself or for others?
What makes a good critic?
Can an assertion without evidence be dismissed without evidence?
Should governmentt ever subsidize art?
Are standardized tests a good idea?
What is evil?
10-9-07
How do we come to know thyself?
Is religion harmful?
What should a world governmentt look like?
What is the legitimate role of government?
Is torture ever justified?
How should one do a good critic?
Where did the idea that we live after we die come from?
10-2-07
Is there a conspiracy to only have good topics when Kathy is gone?
Should we have reparations for past harms/wrongs?
How do religions make us stronger/weaker?
What are marital spats?
Can something asserted without evidence be dismissed without evidence?
Who needs dogma?
Do only individuals have rights and not groups?
Why did we go to Iraq?
top
9-25-07
What is a liberal?
Do groups have rights?
Should we have reparations for the past harm?
What is truth?
What is the most important question?
Why are questions more important than answers?
How do we reconcile sovereignty with international business?
Can capitalism and socialism exist within the same state?
9-18-07
Should we have restitution for past actions?
What is the most important question?
What is best for man outright delusion or intellectual honesty?
Are international corporations the precursors to world government?
Is our freedom of speech being eroded?
Can people change?
Does God exist...what is the proof?
9-11-07
9/11 and the Iraq war why?
What are the prerequisites for a peaceful world?
Why did 9/11 happen?
Should doctors get kickbacks on prescription drugs?
What is a simple life and is it good?
What makes a hero?
Should we care if athletes use performance enhancing drugs?
9-4-07
Is hypocrisy an essential element of a good society?
What does it mean to be happy?
How do we reconcile individual to the group?
Is capitalism a just system?
Do groups have rights?
Is it harmful to believe in myths?
Is governmentt what makes us moral?
top
8-28-07
What are the consequences of an examined life?
Are we moral?
Who really gives to charity?
What should be done about the hopeless losers?
What will the world look like in 30 years?
What does it mean to be happy?
Is sport a good thing?
Is social justice immoral?
8-21-07
How free can we be?
Is the world overpopulated?
Does drinking age affect whether one becomes an alcoholic?
Is free trade good for the world?
Should virtual porn be illegal?
Authority: obedience or rebellion?
8-14-07
What is civilization?
Is meaningful campaign finance reform a violation of free speech?
Does the attitude of "winning at any cost" destroy ethics?
Will the U.S. experience the same downfall as Rome?
Should virtual child pornography be illegal?
What is a predator?
8-7-07
What is a good leader?
What is a predator?
Is there such a thing as luck?
Should events happening in virtual reality be treated equivalent to real life?
What is a terrorist?
top
7-31-07
What is a terrorist?
What makes a hero?
Should our petroleum industry be managed differently?
The internet: friend or foe?
What's the foundation for making virtual porn illegal?
What is greed?
7-24-07
Is our species the most important?
Should the U.S. nationalize its oil refineries?
What is this?
Why did we go to war?
Should their be determinate sentencing?
Inequality: good or bad?
Do we treat people according to what we think of others or what we think of ourselves?
7-17-07
What are the reasons for civilization?
What is the reason for justice?
Severus Snape: Good guy or Evil Doer?
Why did we go to Iraq?
Value of Life: Healthcare?
7/10/07
What are the things that bind us?
Why did we go to war in Iraq?
How do childhood fairytales distort our sense of reality?
What will our country do when we go bankrupt?
Is pacifism immoral?
Value of life: healthcare?
Should there be determinant sentencing?
7/3/07
What makes us do good?
Is war profit driven?
Universal healthcare?
What makes us do bad?
Should we care if athletes use performance enhancing drugs?
What is the cause of our trend to isolate?
What do we base our morals on?
top
6/26/07
Should the airline industry be publicly owned?
What will future Americans think of us?
What is the value of life?
Are we really the center of the universe?
Should we legalize drugs?
Do we tend to date the same personality type over and over again?
Immigration?
What would the truth calculator look like?
6/19/07
Do we make up our ethics as we go along?
What are components of "entity" that decides whether an assertion is true or false?
What is the value of life?
Do you treat people according to what you think of them or what you think of yourself?
Is pride a good or bad quality? Why?
6/12/07
What's more important to our species logic or intuition?
Is there a legal constitutional basis for corporate personhood?
Is capitalism the only moral economic system?
Should knock offs be illegal?
Are we going to be as happy after we die as we were before we were born?
6/05/07
How much honesty is enough?
How much is a life worth?
Should we be allowed to erect roadside memorials?
Should we legalize all drugs?
Is there a poverty trap?
What is the value of sacrifice?
In an infinite universe, with only a tiny planet, is there a god or does morality matter?
top
5/29/07
Will the United States remain a world power?
What does surrender mean to us?
Should we care if athletes use performance enhancing drugs?
What is a free society, what is economic freedom, and are they related?
Why do we name drop?
What determines right and wrong?
5/22/07
Should recreational drugs be decriminalized?
Should those that kill under the influence of alcohol be just as guilty as those who kill with a gun?
What are the best commitments?
Should we be allowed to believe in something without proof?
What is a fair tax system?
What does sacrifice mean nowadays?
5/15/07
What is the public good?
How is virtue made to happen?
Should drugs be decriminalized?
Should we be concerned about increased acquisition of private equity groups?
What should be private?
Should the ovarian cancer vaccine be given/made mandatory?
5/08/07
How important is leadership?
If society had one value to maintain what would it be?
What should be private?
Should we legalize drugs?
Is there any justification for government subsidized art?
Is it fair for business decisions to trump the First Amendment?
Is the United States losing its #1 status in the world?
5-1-07
What does art do?
If society has one value to maintain what would it be?
Is difficult birth men's responsibility?
Is honesty always best?
Has TV contributed to or harmed society?
How is homeschooling beneficial?
Are high schools obsolete?
What should be our educational agenda for the future?
Is mandatory military service good or bad?
top
4-24-07
Did Virginia Tech act appropriately?
What are we afraid of?
Should we be more paternalistic towards the mentally ill?
Does geography determine destiny?
What's the value of pride?
Should we legalize drugs?
4-17-07
Can we reconcile forgiveness with judgment?
Should we outlaw the death penalty?
Is the animal species out of proportion?
Do our institutions treat the Veterans with decency?
What is an appropriate punishment for Don Imus?
Should we outlaw guns?
How do we come to "know thyself?"
4-10-07
Why do we trust public radio?
What do we need from our leaders?
Should we legalize drugs?
Do we impose our own limits?
What is personal balance?
Is the adversarial system of justice best?
4/3/07
What are philosophers good for?
You are all alone in the world?
Are we losing freedom of the press?
What would be the impact on us if there were life on Mars?
Do we mold facts to fit reality or is our reality created by facts?
What is wisdom worth?
When is truth good enough?
top
3/27/07
Can we live without beliefs?
Should the United States consider offering other countries statehood?
How come alcohol is legal and marijuana is not?
Should legal aliens be allowed to vote?
What is a more life altering emotion: love of hate?
3/20/07
What is free will?
Why is it so hard to get at "the truth"?
Who or what makes 4-letter words vulgar?
Why is it hard to admit to guilt?
Would society be better if men were chivalrous?
When is it ok to transgress moral norms?
3/13/07
What is love?
Why is begging bad?
Why don't we admit it when we are guilty?
How much control should parents have over their children?
How do we come to "know thyself"?
Why is the government "we"?
Is the United States a good neighbor to Latin America?
How do we use language in debate?
3/6/07
What is the best kind of love?
What should we believe and why?
Social Issue?
What did we do to the Native Americans?
Why is begging bad?
What is art?
How do we come to "know thyself"?
top
2/27/07
Why is fear easier than love?
Why don't we consider violence pornography?
What is more important: truth or what we perceive to be true?
What turns love into hate?
What is guilt good for?
2/20/07
What should we believe in and why should we believe it?
Is there any value in having a "one night stand"?
What forms our opinions?
2/13/07
What is the relationship between humans and the other species on the Earth?
Is anything sacred?
Should assisted suicide be allowed?
How much does our physical appearance affect our life experiences?
Is there justification for income disparity between women and men?
Should we attack Iran?
2/6/07
Do animals have rights?
Is expanding population interfering with the food supply?
What is greed?
Is American History something to be proud of?
top
1/30/07
When is doubt good and when is it bad?
If God does not exist, is everything permissible?
Is pacifism immoral?
What is greed?
Are heroic acts healthy?
1/23/07
How is love madness/sanity?
Are humans special?
How do we influence each other when we live together?
Should 18 year-olds have complete legal freedom?
What influence does Socrates have on listening to church sermons?
1/16/07
Why do we pick sides?
Why do we have war?
Are the problems of the world related to overpopulation?
What is the power of love?
How does "Socrates" affect how we perceive the church sermon?
1/09/07
What makes something sexy?
What makes good government?
Are ethics dependant upon conditions?
Is the Uinted States a good neighbor to Latin America?
What are the costs and drawbacks of entitlements?
Why do we accept things that we shouldn't from people when we love them?
Do animals have rights?
Where is society going?
1/2/07
What do we do with memory?
Is the European model an ideal and what is it based on?
Does geography determine destiny?
What is B.S.?
Why is there no boogy woman?
What is the best way to make change?
What's the cause of persistant poverty?
top
12/26/06
How does Socrates Café effect our convictions?
What is B.S.?
Why do we cheer for the underdog?
Do animals have rights?
What is a "free" society?
What is the real relationship between fact and belief?
Should illicit drugs be legal?
12/19/06
How should/do we use memory?
What determines fairness?
Is x-mas happy?
Do questions that have no business being asked deserve an answer?
Should every US citizen be required to do some service to the nation?
Why do we value what society thinks is right?
Should we increase/decrease troop levels?
Where do archetypal images come from?
12/12/06
Why aren't we more compassionate?
Are we afraid of change?
Do criminals have rights?
When is "whistle blowing" the right thing to do?
What is hope good for?
Are secular holiday symbols good?
Why did we kill Socrates/Jesus?
Is all effort about world domination?
12/5/06 NO SOCRATES
top
11/28/06
Religious intolerance: Should we tolerate exclusive claims to the truth?
How do we reasonably disagree?
Should a non-vote equal a "no" vote?
Are American foreign policy motives well intended?
What is the difference between terrorist and warrior?
What is the difference between fact and truth?
11/21/06
What is the relationship between reality and imagination?
Why is diversity good?
Should OJ's book be banned?
Is the U.S. a good neighbor to Latin America?
Is discrimination inevitable?
Should our laws discourage religious absolutism?
11/14/06
When is doubt useful?
Why are we wasting our time here?
Axis of evil?
Aren't we all ideologues?
American democracy: democracy or opiate?
If abuse leads to suicide is the abuse liable?
11/7/06 - Happy 1st Anniversary Burnsville Socrates Cafe!
Is the U.S. a good neighbor to Latin America?
Why do PC users and Mac users hate each other?
Would direct democracy be a good thing?
How can someone make an informed decision?
How do we know we'll do good?
Should negative campaigning be allowed?
top
10/31/06
Why are some people disillusioned after reaching their goals?
Where do archetypal images come from?
What are the essential elements for a country and what are alternatives?
Why do some people think they are better than others?
What's the future of religion?
What is culture?
10/24/06
Religious freedom vs. economic freedom in the workplace?
What is justice?
What is evil? is it absolute/relative?
10/17/06
What is freedom?
Gun violence vs. terrorism?
What's the difference between truth and fact?
What's more important humans or the environment?
Why don't we forgive like the Amish?
10/10/06
Why can't we be more like the Amish?
How do wars make gains without conquest?
Were the good ole days really that good?
What is democracy?
Is torture ever justified?
10/3/06
What's up with creepy and dangerous men?
Why are we here at Socrates Cafe?
What makes a great speaker?
Should justice be blind?
Should drugs be decriminalized?
Should the press censor itself?
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9/26/06
Where is bin Laden?
Should a man have a legal say in abortion?
Do we have an obligation to help the poor?
What is the next big change in reality?
Should drugs be legalized?
Fidelity vs. loyality, which is more important?
9/19/06
What are appropriate policies for US towards Central/Latin America?
What makes an opinion valid?
Are we overpopulating the planet?
Have we reached the point of no return - evolution?
9/12/06
What makes one functional?
Is ignorance ever bliss?
What is objective?
What is a lie?
True or false: Should the state have the right to regulate individual behavior only when it causes direct harm for others?
Who determines when direct harm is done?
Is it possible to find inner peace?
9/5/06
Do we fear freedom?
Should we be an adversarial or inquistorial legal system?
Are conspiracy theories more prevalent today and why?
Why ask questions?
Are we the greatest country in the world?
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8/29/06
Why is it so easy to fool yourself?
Is there such a thing as absolute truth?
a) Is America willing to give up too much freedom for the promise of security?
b) How do we properly balance freedom and security?
What is experience?
8/22/06
What's more important reality or fantasy?
Why do we do this?
What is a date?
How do we turn back to peace?
What's healthier: unrealistic dreams or no dreams?
Can we vote more than once?
8/15/06
What is happiness?
Is there a real difference between mental illness and brilliance?
What's better: big picture or the details?
How are things better/worse?
Do we have to understand the past to move forward?
8/8/06
Why do we fight?
How should we respond to intolerance?
Are we born lucky or do we create it?
Is the middle east our Armageddon?
Should organ sales be allowed?
8/1/06
What determines culture?
What is the infastructure of a relationship?
What makes or breaks a relationship?
R-E-S-P-E-C-T what does it mean?
What is love; timing or person or both?
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7/25/06
What is the relationship between imagination and reality?
If you're not religious, is it more morally correct when you do good?
Should we have basic skills tests for High School graduation?
7/18/06
What is intuition?
How do we know who the "good guys" are?
Logic of tit for tat?
What is terrorism?
How do we encourage long range political thinking?
Can a true democracy be imposed?
When can we be happy?
7/11/06
How are we hurt/helped by our modernity?
What is intelligence?
What is insanity?
What is greed, is it bad/good?
Is God an answer to ignorance?
7/4/06
No meeting today.
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6/27/06
Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?
Why do we want to escape freedom?
Why are we in such a hurry?
What is a life well-lived?
Is a baby's first or only emotion love?
Is it fair to pass our debts on?
6/20/06
What is a patriot?
Is there a good justification for zoning beyond health and safety?
What is the difference between an adult and a child?
What is progress?
6/13/06
What is the difference betwen a child and adult?
What's the nature of evil?
What did Jesus mean?
How does language effect experience?
Should there be zoning for reasons other than health and safety?
6/6/06
What makes intentions good and bad?
What are rights and where do they come from?
What is the nature of evil?
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5/30/06
What should we do with our monsters?
Should people be allowed to sell their organs?
What is street smarts?
What is fascism?
5/23/06
What is a "just" war?
Is stereotyping a neccesity or a bad thing?
Can we make judgments without being judgmental?
Why are good conversations so rare?
Where does perception and imagination collide?
5/16/06
Do dead people have a right to privacy?
How is it possible to deceive ourselves?
Why does our consciousness need sleep?
What's more important fitting in or standing apart?
5/9/06
Is it better that ten guilty go free than one innocent be punished?
What's the difference between religion and superstitution?
What does it mean to be objective?
When are secrets good/bad?
5/2/06
What is free will?
Is it better that X (#) guilty men go free than one innocent person be convicted?
Where does "meaning" come from?
Why do we take unnecessary risks?
Why do we blame presidents for the economy?
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4/25/06
When is "good" good enough?
When is "bad" bad?
Is envy good?
What is the redeeming aspect of illness?
Is living in a consumer driven society negative?
4/18/06
Is life fair?
What are good lies?
Should politicians swear to uphold the Bible?
What is mental health?
Is America a caste or class system?
4/11/06
How does "PTSD" work?
Why don't we trust our atheists?
What does it mean to be a person of integrity?
Where does medicine end and quackery begin?
4/4/06
What makes a good movie?
Are the ideals of freedom and equality consistent?
What is betrayal?
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3/28/06
Is freedom beyond nature?
Is ignorance bliss?
Why don't we trust atheists?
How important is beauty?
What is pain for?
3/21/06
Can theocracy be democratic?
Does the truth really set you free?
What is the difference between Christian and Christ-like?
3/14/06
What is the relationship between liberty and viture?
What makes something "good"?
Is abortion good or bad?
What makes someone religious?
3/7/06
Why can't I buy happiness?
Why do people like to gossip?
What determines belief?
What makes something "good"?
2/28/06
What brings happiness?
Why do we think we're special?
What is fun?
In the game of life, do we need to know the rules to play?
2/21/06
Why can't money buy love?
When is good not?
How much fun do we need?
How should we understand "context"?
2/14/06
What is empathy?
When/Why is boredom a problem?
Why is money the root of all evil?
Why is it sometimes so hard to get along?
2/7/06
Are spirituality and religion the same thing?
Is love just chemical?
Is marriage necessary?
Is anything forever?
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1/31/06
Why is "what we are" so important?
When do people stop asking questions and start living?
What is family?
Why are we here?
1/24/06
What is maturity?
Is honesty always the best policy?
Where does need fit into love?
Is it better to make decisions with your head or with your heart?
How does one "live now" without disrespecting the past?
1/17/06
Why is "the way it should be" important?
When/Why is boredom a problem?
Right to die?
1/10/06
What is a miracle?
What makes a good story?
Fact or Fiction: does it matter?
Is knowing that you don't know really wisdom?
1/3/06
Why are stories important?
What's bullsh!t?
How and why do people become lazy?
Is it good to want to change others?
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12/27/05
What do stories do?
What is serendipity?
What is the relationship between the holidays and depression?
What is the difference between manipulation and persuassion?
Why is privacy important?
12/20/05
Why are ideas more popular than reality?
Do our opinions make us feel superior?
How does sadness affect us?
Why do we label?
Is political correctness a form of censorship?
12/13/05
Why can't money buy love?
What makes us feel superior?
Why are religions sometimes dangerous?
Does a materialistic worldview make sense?
12/6/05
Why are love and hate so close?
How can we make religion less dangerous?
What is maturity?
Does money change everything?
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11/29/05
How can doubt be beneficial?
What is tradition?
11/22/05
What is deceit and when is it useful?
Why are so many Christians cranky?
Why should adults not take things personally?
11/14/05
What is more important doubt or faith?
How do we take responsibility for our lives?
Is honesty really the best policy?
11/8/05
What is the best way to do charity?
Are all organized religions myths?
Do we see only what we want to see?
What is capitalism?
11/1/05
Who would Jesus Bomb?
When is it good to have expectations?
Why is it hard to do this anywhere else?
Is philosophy dependent on philosophers?
Is knowing that you don't know really wisdom?
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