English 102: Categorical and Definitional arguments--some sample issue questions

• Do whales belong in the category of "sacred animals," "protected species," or "renewable food resource"?
• Are race-car drivers "athletes"?
• Is it permissible for a person protecting his or her home to shoot an intruder in "self-defense," or does such an act constitute "excessive force"?
• Are police officers justified in firing their weapons at an unarmed suspect?
• Does "psychological" child abuse really exist?
• Is alcoholism a "disease," a "disorder," a "condition," or none of the above?
• Should counseling for emotional problems be covered under your employer's insurance plan?
• Should pornography be constitutionally protected as "free speech"?
• Should college students be allowed to express their views freely on campus, or do some forms of expression legitimately constitute "offensive speech"?
• Is the new Homeland Security Act a reasonable measure for protecting national security or is it an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy?
• Is the ongoing war in Iraq a "just" war?
• Are Americans excessively materialistic?
• Is capital punishment "cruel and unusual punishment," or is it a justifiable response to a heinous crime?
• Is abortion "murder," a "woman's right to choose," or both?
• In a custody dispute over a fetus born through in vitro fertilization, whose rights should prevail?
• Do steroids constitute an "unfair advantage" in athletic competition, or are they merely another "scientific advance" like better training methods or improved nutrition?
• What is the purpose of a college education?
• Is the institution of marriage appropriate for gay couples, or should it be restricted to heterosexual couples?
• What are "family values," and is it desirable to preserve, maintain, or resurrect those values?