Debate allows us to see different perspectives on specific issues on which there are divergent opinions. It makes it possible for us to exchange points of view and build a more complete vision about reality. It also favours critical thinking, thanks, among other aspects, to the need to exercise a certain mental flexibility and the use of persuasion and different discursive strategies in order to defend one’s position.

That is why discussions and debates are such a valuable resource in education and training centres, both in schools and in colleges and universities.

But finding a topic to discuss and talk about can be complicated . So in this article you can find a number of discussion topics to propose in class.

Different topics to discuss in class

Below you will find a selection of topics of interest for class discussion (trying to reach a conclusion) or for discussion (basically sharing ideas in an informal way without trying to reach a conclusion).

These topics are designed for people with a level of maturity corresponding at least to the secondary level and even to university level, although many of them can be adjusted to the needs of other life stages such as childhood, which corresponds to primary education.

1. Stigmatization of people with mental and neurological disorders

Mental health and the existence of disorders and disturbances is a topic that is not often discussed in society.

Why this is so little talked about, what someone with a disorder should feel, the social stigma that a diagnosis entailed in the past and the way in which this prejudice still exists today, how it can affect them and how they are viewed by society are some of the topics of debate that are proposed. This is a topic of debate that includes a clear ethical component.

2. The death penalty

A somewhat more typical topic of discussion than the previous one. The death penalty is still applied in many countries in the world. Some people consider it necessary and just, others see it as little more than a crime committed in the pursuit of revenge.

Should it remain in force? Is its application ethical? Why do some countries apply it and others do not? What happens if an innocent person is convicted?

3. Illegal immigration

Another typical topic of debate and discussion is that of illegal immigration. In this regard , it is possible to argue and discuss what produces it , what should be done about it, how it should be regulated, the different measures that have been taken throughout history in this regard, the risks and advantages that the unregulated entry of people into the country may entail or the treatment that is given socially and legally to illegal immigrants, for example.

4. Equality

For decades society has been advancing in the search for tolerance and acceptance of interpersonal differences . Little by little, the integration and equality of rights of different groups that were previously discriminated against (women, ethnic and racial differences or the LGTB community) have been sought and achieved.

But we can ask ourselves: have we reached true equality or is there still a long way to go? Is the same thing happening everywhere in the world? This issue can be extended to different areas, such as women in the world of work, same-sex marriage or racism.

5. Dating and gender-based violence

Gender-based violence is an issue that, unfortunately, is still relatively present in society. What it is exactly and what it includes, where it comes from, its legal treatment, what role education and society have in its prevention , how to detect it and what to do in case of doing it or how it could be avoided are topics that can allow to talk at length and share points of view.

6. Euthanasia

The right to a dignified death and assisted suicide. The fact that a person or those close to them may decide to die in certain circumstances from which the person will not be able to escape, such as irreversible coma or diseases that cause great pain and suffering.

Its use to avoid patient suffering, the ethics and/or legitimacy of such practice, who should make the decision in case the patient is not and cannot express his opinion and the limits that should be imposed on its use are highly controversial even today.

7. Animal experimentation

Medicines, cosmetics and other items must be tested before they can be marketed in order to check their effects. Traditionally, various animals have been used in laboratories to test these effects, and even if today we have synthetic skins to test elements such as cosmetics, other living beings are still used in experimentation and research.

Is animal experimentation necessary? Is it carried out ethically? What use is it if in the end they are tested on a type of being that does not share all our characteristics?

8. The evolution of technology

Technology is advancing at an incredible speed. What seemed impossible a few centuries ago can now be achieved with a simple click. Wondering where we will get to with it, discussing whether such evolution is always positive or hides a negative part or whether we should put some kind of brake or precaution on it are subjects to be debated.

9. Ethics in daily life and on a professional level

Ethics and morals. This subject is complex, but it can be adapted to different evolutionary levels. What is it and what is not admissible? Should we cause someone to suffer if thanks to him or her it would be possible to improve his or her situation or achieve a common good? Should everything be allowed?

Or even more. Does the end justify the means? What aspects must be taken into account at the professional level in order to practice correctly? What limits must not be crossed? Is ethics itself ethical? These and other aspects make it possible to hold discussions and in-depth debates in which to highlight values and beliefs.

10. The image in society

We are in a society where image is highly valued. One’s physical appearance and reputation can greatly influence how others see you and even how you see yourself. It can help us to get a job or get closer to our dream partner, but it can also cause great frustration, insecurity and even generate various disorders.

Discussing their importance and the changes that may have occurred over time in terms of what is considered a good image may be interesting.

11. Censorship

Thoughts, beliefs and even the perception of some concrete facts are often censored by different people and bodies. In some countries, tendencies and thoughts contrary to the power or interests of part of the population are openly censored and repressed.

In other places it is applied in a more disguised way, omitting part of reality or even modifying it. And it need not be between different people: even one can censor part of one’s own being or thought due to social pressure or the existence of contrary beliefs and thoughts. Does it have any kind of meaning or usefulness? Why does it take place? How can it be avoided? Should there be limits to freedom of expression?

12. Climate change

Although it does not seem to be as much of a topic today as it was a few years ago, climate change and its existence has been a frequent topic of debate and discussion.

What it is, how it affects us, the environment or the rest of the world, what should be done, who has the responsibility or aspects derived from the fight against it such as recycling or the use of fossil or natural fuels are aspects that allow us to reflect on the world in which we live.

13. The legalization of prostitution

Prostitution is illegal in many countries and is punishable by law. However, it is a type of activity with a high level of demand. The fact that it is illegal means a high level of insecurity for the people who engage in it, in addition to the fact that being a demanded activity facilitates the creation of mafias and networks of sexual exploitation that seek to benefit from it.

Whether or not it should be legal or what such legalization would mean for sex workers, clients and society in general are issues to be discussed.

14. Drugs in society

The consumption of psychoactive substances is relatively frequent in today’s society. Many of them cause severe addictions and harmful effects in both the short and long term. Some aspects to be discussed may be the following: why do they consume? what effects do they have? how does their consumption look socially?

15. Fidelity and Infidelity in the Couple

The couple is another of the big issues to be discussed. And within it, maintaining fidelity or not maintaining it is a widely debatable issue.

What does being faithful imply? Is being unfaithful only to have sex with third parties? Why are some people unfaithful and others not? Is the human being unfaithful by nature? Would you forgive an infidelity? Would you commit one if you knew no one was going to find out? What happens to open couples? How does an infidelity affect life as a couple? These and other questions are often discussed in different gatherings.

16. Social stereotypes

Stereotypes are a set of pre-determined ideas and beliefs regarding the characteristics of certain topics or groups.

Stereotypes can lead us to prejudge others and maintain attitudes that imply undeserved unequal treatment , and because of this we sometimes act as if we know someone we don’t know based on characteristics that have not been demonstrated. Where they come from, because they are produced and how to fight them are aspects to be discussed.

17. Privacy and the right to privacy

With the presence of elements such as social networks or new technologies we can keep in touch with people from all over the world at any time and place. While this can be positive, it also means a loss of privacy by allowing our information to be shared with a large number of people.

Such people may come to judge our public and private life and cause us various types of harm, or even make a profit through the use of our information.

18. Globalization

We are in a globalized world, which allows communication and expression of feelings and ways of seeing the world. This is something that helps us to share and understand each other better. However, it also causes different ethnic groups and peoples to see their cultural identity, traditions and customs eliminated and forgotten, being absorbed by an increasingly standardized society .

19. Employment today

Obtaining a job today can be complicated, as can be seen from the high number of unemployed. In addition, there is a large number of temporary contracts, which in practice means a high level of uncertainty regarding future economic possibilities and makes it difficult to plan for the future. The situation on the labour market today is often the reason for various discussions.

20. Abortion

This is a typical topic in different debates and gatherings. The fact of having an abortion and what it implies, the decision making and the possible psychic effects it may have , the legal limitations to abort, until what moment of development of the fetus it is possible to do so, ethical aspects discussed in relation to this issue and how different sectors of society see the fact are aspects to be debated.

21. Religion and Spirituality

Spiritual and religious beliefs have been present in human beings since ancient times. Rites, traditions and ways of seeing the world have emerged from them and have been a frequent source of debate. The usefulness of religious beliefs , their use for different purposes, why some people believe and others do not and the effects that different religious denominations have had throughout history may give rise to intense debates.

22. Social pressure

Most people have ever done something they didn’t want to do simply because it was expected of them or because of social or group pressure. The opinion of others or what we think others think of us matters to us to a greater or lesser extent.

Aspects to be commented on can be: why? what do we do or what can we do if we are subjected to pressure from society or the group? what is expected of us?

23. Superstitions

Opening an umbrella under cover, throwing salt or wine on the table, having a broken mirror, being stared at by a one-eyed man or crossing with a black cat have all been a sign of bad luck for some people. Other people have small rituals or even talismans that are supposed to bring good luck.

Do these superstitions make any sense? Where do they come from? Do we have any? These are questions we can ask ourselves and they make for an interesting topic of discussion and debate.

24. The right to housing

In most advanced countries, housing is enshrined in the basic laws of each country as a right of all citizens. However, we all know that this right is not fulfilled.

The existence of homeless people and the high price of housing (both when renting and buying) can be good axes for this debate. In addition, ideas can be contributed to minimise the impact of this problem and make housing more accessible to everyone.