# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=14 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 15 --- ## [Marx on peasant revolts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marx-on-peasant-revolts/1002891)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marx-on-peasant-revolts/1002891 "2024-06-15T01:39:27Z")
Did Marx ever address the failure of preindustrial peasant or slave revolts to overturn feudalism/ servitude and establish a “workers” (farmers) utopia? In particular, did Marx purport to explain why industrialism made a… --- ## [What would have happened if Adam didn't bite the apple?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-if-adam-didnt-bite-the-apple/984837)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-if-adam-didnt-bite-the-apple/984837 "2024-06-14T01:08:36Z")
according to the Bible, sin entered the world when ADAM ate the apple. If Adam didn’t bite the apple, would sin still have entered since it was only Eve who bit? How would that work, since Eve knew good from evil, but A… --- ## [Delaware Permit to Purchase Gun Law and the effect it would have had for Hunter Biden](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delaware-permit-to-purchase-gun-law-and-the-effect-it-would-have-had-for-hunter-biden/1002670)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delaware-permit-to-purchase-gun-law-and-the-effect-it-would-have-had-for-hunter-biden/1002670 "2024-06-13T01:36:14Z")
On May 16, 2024, Delaware enacted a permit to purchase gun law requiring prior training and a sworn statement before the current purchase process can take place. See: Delaware’s New Handgun Purchaser Licensing Law The… --- ## [What was the most important Navy Ship of all time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-important-navy-ship-of-all-time/982250)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-important-navy-ship-of-all-time/982250 "2024-06-07T23:26:41Z")
I nominate The Big “E”, CV-6, The USS Enterprise. She served all of WWII. She was involved in every major battle but one in the Pacific. Bad weather delayed her return to Pearl from December 6th so she was not in port… --- ## [Should people use their real legal names when communicating in public forums online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-use-their-real-legal-names-when-communicating-in-public-forums-online/1001339)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2024, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-use-their-real-legal-names-when-communicating-in-public-forums-online/1001339 "2024-06-07T10:09:23Z")
I was mildly surprised the other day to learn that a number of online discussion forums have, as a mandatory policy, that in order to participate, you must display your real legal name. It’s been a little while since I … --- ## [Autonomy, vs Intervention](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autonomy-vs-intervention/1002256)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autonomy-vs-intervention/1002256 "2024-06-05T18:47:21Z")
I’ve come to a rather absolute conclusion: nobody, under any circumstances, should be subjected to things done to them that they’ve expressed a “no” to. Not unless they’re being arrested for something they’ve actually … --- ## [Under what circumstances do you support euthanasia and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-do-you-support-euthanasia-and-why/1001818)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-do-you-support-euthanasia-and-why/1001818 "2024-06-04T15:09:06Z")
Under what circumstances do you support euthanasia (voluntary, involuntary and non voluntary) and why? I support it when the person has exhausted all plausible means of treatment (mental or terminal illness) or is in a … --- ## [Revised man, bear, woods discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revised-man-bear-woods-discussion/1001499)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2024, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revised-man-bear-woods-discussion/1001499 "2024-06-04T09:46:23Z")
This thread (Man, bear, woman,what's the meme I'm missing?) was closed a few days ago and I had questioned this in the “About this message board” category. It was suggested that someone reopen it in GD, however, I’m not… --- ## [AI, IP, vocal likeness, and Scarlett Johannson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-ip-vocal-likeness-and-scarlett-johannson/1002047)
**Author:** [@Ulysses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulysses)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-ip-vocal-likeness-and-scarlett-johannson/1002047 "2024-06-03T21:01:55Z")
Basic question up front: To what extent should/does\* someone own the likeness of their voice? Background: Scarlett Johannson and OpenAI appear on a litigation collision course over the similarity of the latter’s “Sky” A… --- ## [Does no free will necessarily entail fatalism or nihilism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-no-free-will-necessarily-entail-fatalism-or-nihilism/1000940)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-no-free-will-necessarily-entail-fatalism-or-nihilism/1000940 "2024-05-31T19:21:52Z")
Whenever the hard determinist view is brought up in online discussions there is almost always someone that says no free will or genuine moral responsibility logically entails fatalism and nihilism. If everything that hap… --- ## [Innocence Project, LA takes Scott Petersen's case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocence-project-la-takes-scott-petersens-case/996383)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2024, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocence-project-la-takes-scott-petersens-case/996383 "2024-05-30T03:16:37Z")
(apologies for typos I don’t catch and correct-- I have Band-Aids on several fingers) I usually keep my mouth shut when the topic of Scott Peterson comes up, because people seem to so overwhelming think he killed his wi… --- ## [Are there just that many more people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-just-that-many-more-people/1002091)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2024, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-just-that-many-more-people/1002091 "2024-05-29T13:11:57Z")
My perception is that many aspects of life are more crowded than in decades past. Do you perceive the same? Are there any solutions? Exceptions? Traffic in the Chicago area was never great, but it seems to be worse t… --- ## [So how bad really is the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-bad-really-is-the-economy/1002159)
**Author:** [@Jackson99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson99)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-bad-really-is-the-economy/1002159 "2024-05-27T22:25:57Z")
So how bad really is the economy? I hear sales are all way down from TV manufactures, smartphones, computers, tablets and entertainment systems are all down. How bad is the economy that sales are way down? --- ## [From a Christian perspective - what's the biblical case for inclusion on lgbtq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-christian-perspective-whats-the-biblical-case-for-inclusion-on-lgbtq/1001694)
**Author:** [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-christian-perspective-whats-the-biblical-case-for-inclusion-on-lgbtq/1001694 "2024-05-26T18:56:31Z")
I almost put this one in the “Methodists Splitting” thread, since it’s my denomination that recently went through a schism around the gay issue. But it’s a larger question. I have no issue with the recent decisions of … --- ## [Social Security Windfall Provision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-windfall-provision/1001521)
**Author:** [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-windfall-provision/1001521 "2024-05-24T18:56:34Z")
I’m putting this here because I know it’s going to turn into a debate. There is a Windfall Elimination Provision in Social Security that affects benefits for certain people who had public sector jobs where they did not… --- ## [Which is superior, an adversarial or an inquisitorial system of justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-superior-an-adversarial-or-an-inquisitorial-system-of-justice/1001623)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2024, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-superior-an-adversarial-or-an-inquisitorial-system-of-justice/1001623 "2024-05-23T04:32:22Z")
Which is better, an adversarial system of justice like that of United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, India, and Britain or an inquisitorial system like that of France, Thailand, Japan, Germany, and (unexpectedly) … --- ## [Alternative world: Women are 30% physically stronger than men but everything else remains unchanged](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-world-women-are-30-physically-stronger-than-men-but-everything-else-remains-unchanged/1001028)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-world-women-are-30-physically-stronger-than-men-but-everything-else-remains-unchanged/1001028 "2024-05-19T21:51:08Z")
Suppose for a moment that instead of men being 30% physically stronger than women on average, it were reversed - women were 30% stronger and also 2-3 inches taller on average than men. But everything else remains unchan… --- ## [From a Christian perspective - What's the case against pre-destination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-christian-perspective-whats-the-case-against-pre-destination/1001144)
**Author:** [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2024, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-christian-perspective-whats-the-case-against-pre-destination/1001144 "2024-05-19T03:38:42Z")
My view (as a Christian) is that pre-destination goes against the choice that we make of our own free will. If I have to receive Christ as my Lord & Savior in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven, then I am making a ch… --- ## [What arguments would you use to convince someone that God really does exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-arguments-would-you-use-to-convince-someone-that-god-really-does-exist/1000101)
**Author:** [@philipdalton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/philipdalton)\ **Replies:** 653\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-arguments-would-you-use-to-convince-someone-that-god-really-does-exist/1000101 "2024-05-17T18:11:12Z")
Would you cite the appearance of things in nature having been designed as evidence, or the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies in our modern age? --- ## [The Methodist Church is splitting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-methodist-church-is-splitting/845926)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-methodist-church-is-splitting/845926 "2024-05-16T14:07:17Z")
According to this news article the United Methodist Church is splitting into two parts: A conservative anti-gay marriage and gay clergy half, and an inclusive half. The United Methodist Church is the second largest Prot… --- ## [Banning menthol cigarettes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-menthol-cigarettes/940973)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 341\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-menthol-cigarettes/940973 "2024-05-14T16:26:51Z")
Reports are that the Biden administration is about to do this, but this has been on the table for several years. Question is how this plays out in terms of current Equal Rights laws and viewpoints. Key point is that for… --- ## [Is there a case that Jesus didn't believe in his own divinity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-case-that-jesus-didnt-believe-in-his-own-divinity/1000759)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2024, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-case-that-jesus-didnt-believe-in-his-own-divinity/1000759 "2024-05-08T17:03:16Z")
It was 50/50 whether to put this in Factual Questions or Great Debates. I’m guessing it’s going to result in a debate, so… I’m a former devout Christian (now atheist Buddhist) reading a book called Heaven and Hell: A Hi… --- ## [When, If Ever, is it Appropriate to Blame the Victim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-ever-is-it-appropriate-to-blame-the-victim/999984)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 212\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2024, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-ever-is-it-appropriate-to-blame-the-victim/999984 "2024-05-08T00:52:18Z")
When I was an undergraduate, there were a series of crimes on and around campus mostly revolving around robberies and petty theft. The adminstrators sent out an alert informing us that a student had been robbed the prev… --- ## [Why no critical discussion on Brittney Griner's drug bust? {She's been released as of 2022-12-08}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 231\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668 "2024-05-05T14:07:31Z")
I’m wondering why there is no substantive discussion within the media, or here frankly on Brittney’s responsibility for her arrest. It seems pretty clear (at least to me) though she broke Russian pot laws, got caught an… --- ## [Methinks effective altruism has been tarred with a wide brush](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methinks-effective-altruism-has-been-tarred-with-a-wide-brush/1000606)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methinks-effective-altruism-has-been-tarred-with-a-wide-brush/1000606 "2024-05-03T02:25:35Z")
The arrest and conviction of crypto criminal Sam Bankman-Fried has given effective altruism a bad name. That’s unfortunate, as it is a movement worthy of support. Some might argue that the best use of charitable expendit… --- ## [Can certain kinds of thoughts and fantasies be described as evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-certain-kinds-of-thoughts-and-fantasies-be-described-as-evil/1001010)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2024, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-certain-kinds-of-thoughts-and-fantasies-be-described-as-evil/1001010 "2024-05-02T15:15:03Z")
If someone had constant thoughts and fantasies about raping, torturing, killing etc people that they may or may not enjoy but were perfectly moral in the real world (either for its own sake or from fear of consequences o… --- ## [There was no nuclear disaster at Fukushima](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-no-nuclear-disaster-at-fukushima/990796)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 253\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2024, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-no-nuclear-disaster-at-fukushima/990796 "2024-04-27T03:11:02Z")
There was no nuclear disaster at Fukushima. The disaster there was a tsunami caused by an earthquake in the ocean. That danger is the same for any facility, of any sort, on a seacoast. Agreed. We might develop prac… --- ## [Are there things that aren’t immoral but you still shouldn’t want to be the kind of person that does them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-things-that-aren-t-immoral-but-you-still-shouldn-t-want-to-be-the-kind-of-person-that-does-them/999985)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-things-that-aren-t-immoral-but-you-still-shouldn-t-want-to-be-the-kind-of-person-that-does-them/999985 "2024-04-25T21:46:37Z")
I was reading a thread about whether in and of itself incest between consenting adults is bad which made me research the philosophical concept of supererogatory and subererogatory acts. We can all easily imagine things t… --- ## [Anti-Semitism on College Campuses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-semitism-on-college-campuses/995608)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 355\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-semitism-on-college-campuses/995608 "2024-04-24T23:43:58Z")
I am creating this thread as an off-shoot of the one on Claudine Gay’s Plagiarism as the subject seems to be taking over the thread. A lot of people have a lot of important things to say on this subject. I am placing it… --- ## [How will the Israel and Iran conflict play out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-israel-and-iran-conflict-play-out/1000247)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-israel-and-iran-conflict-play-out/1000247 "2024-04-22T07:45:30Z")
I’m starting this thread so as not to hijack the MPSIMS thread. How do you all think this will play out? I don’t see any way this works out for Iran. In other times (before 2/2022) I’d say they could at least count on … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=15)