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Philosophical Questions
Philosophical Questions
Philosophy is the study of, or the attempt to understand, the root nature
of reality, existence, and knowledge. Philosophical questions have no set
answers. In fact, asking a philosophical question frequently leads to more
(seemingly unanswerable) questions. The key to answering a philosophical
question is an open mind. One must think critically, systematically, and clearly.
Answering philosophical questions helps us understand ourselves and the world
around us. We have included deep philosophical questions, hard to answer
philosophical questions, and some that are fun and funny. Enjoy an afternoon
or evening of speculation alone or with friends.
What is the soul? Does it exist before life and continue after?
What is love?
Fun Philosophical Questions
Not all philosophical questions are serious. Although our list of fun
philosophical questions may take some serious contemplation, they are
designed more for a light-hearted evening than a debate or disagreement. They
also make good conversation starters.
People say that money cannot buy happiness, but can you ever be truly happy
without any money?
If you could change just one thing in the world, what would it be?
Would you look for a husband on a dating site? Why or why not?
Do you think “wild” animals should be kept as pets? When and why?
How do we know electrons and black holes exist if we cannot see them?
If you won the lottery, would you quit your job? Why or why not?
Would you rather have a job you love that pays very little, or a job you hate that
pays a great deal of money?
Does time change from one day to the next and is this why some days seem to go
on forever?
If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?
Which historical figure, good or bad, do you think had the biggest impact on the
world? Your country?
Do you think there will come a time when all shopping is done online?
Why aren’t houses equipped with sensing lights that turn off when nobody is in
the room?
Hard philosophical questions are those that make you think, but (unlike
most of the deep philosophical questions) can be answered. Many of them
involve stating one’s opinion and then supporting that opinion with either facts
or personal experience. Our list provides a good springboard for fascinating
discussion and a way to get to know someone else on a deeper, more personal
level.
Should governments have penalties for those who live unhealthy lifestyles?
Should people be allowed to sell their organs and should organ donors be
financially compensated?
Should people have the right to live and travel anywhere they wish with no state
or country boundaries?
Since the birthrate is down in the U.S., should people be required to have at
least one child?
If someone is killing themselves and you simply watch and refuse to interfere,
are you responsible for that death?
Should we limit the amount of money people can earn and save to avoid an
unequal distribution of wealth?
When you are driving and see one shoe on the side of the road, what do you
think happened to the other shoe?
Is there a difference between fair trade and free trade? What is it and which is of
greater importance?
Is there such a thing as honor in today’s society? How would you define honor?
Which is better, to play a good game and lose, or cheat and play a “bad” game
and win?
Is the way we compensate people for their jobs “fair,” or should we have some
way of making sure people are paid appropriately? (i.e. football players and
teachers)
When you go to a movie theater and the seats have armrests, which one is yours
and which your neighbors?
Why is it that milk does not go bad inside a cow, but does if you leave it out of
the refrigerator?
Is it true that five out of four people have trouble with fractions?
Since women do not think their own facial hair is attractive, why don’t they
shave off their eyebrows?
Shouldn’t a pineapple upside down cake be called a pineapple downside up
cake?
Why do we call coffee without cream and sugar “black” when it is really dark
brown?
If you work out every day to add an hour to your life, aren’t you using that extra
hour you have added so that working out really doesn’t add any hours to your
life?
Why don’t they make cheese and lunch meat slices the same size and shape as a
piece of bread?
Why is it that a dog hates to have you blow in its face, but loves to stick his head
out of the window in the car?
If wool shrinks when it gets wet, why don’t sheep shrink in the rain?
Why don’t they have seat belts on buses, when they do on airplanes?
Why do you have a flotation device under your seat and not a parachute on an
airplane?
Why don’t we have a name for the top of our foot and the backs of our hands?
Would the opposite of sole be pole and the opposite of palm be salm?
How can you know what a room of mirrors looks like when nobody is in it?
Where and how would you hide an elephant if someone gave one to you but you
could not let anyone know you had it?
Why do we consider babies healthy if they are plump, but women who have the
same body composition are considered fat?