Holiday season is upon us, and here at SpeakFreely HQ, we’re bracing ourselves for uncomfortable conversations with our families around the dinner table. You know the kind—the passive-aggressive back-and-forth with that little brother who hates capitalism; the tense dialogue with that one aunt who loves tariffs—it seems that three-course discourse is part and parcel of many family get-togethers in this divided world.
Our readers in the States might have experienced some of this last week during Thanksgiving. Others might be still polishing their argumentation skills in time for Christmas or Hanukkah. Or perhaps you’re not the arguing type, and prefer to keep your opinions to yourself at family get-togethers (that can sometimes be wise). Last year, as part of our Fearless For Freedom print issue, Trevor Kraus offered some sound advice on being fearless in your convictions, but with careful judgment, when the time is right.
But if you’re interested in introducing your loved ones to a wider range of viewpoints (including some that might be considered controversial), then SpeakFreely’s recent Debate Issue would make for an excellent stocking filler.
For this issue, we asked pairs of writers with opposing views on given topics to go head-to-head in print. If you’d rather not wait for Santa to leave a copy in your stocking, you can also read the debate articles below (who knows, it might help to sharpen your own debate skills before you see that pro-censorship uncle at Christmas).
Should the non-aggression principle apply to animals?
One for the turkey lovers: should the NAP (non-aggression principle) apply to animals? FDM Gomides draws upon the thought of Ayn Rand to argue that animals don’t have rights in the same way that humans do. Professor Michael Huemer, meanwhile, sits on the turkey pardoning side of the debate, arguing against aggression towards animals as a matter of moral principle.
Should libertarians be Christians?
Religion can play a huge role in family life, particularly at the holidays. Where should libertarians stand on organized religion? Dr Norman Horn of the Libertarian Christian Institute argues that Christianity and libertarianism share a deep alignment in their views on human dignity, voluntary action, and resistance to coercive power. Ian Golan disagrees, arguing that Christianity’s ties to power and its inconsistent moral teachings are in conflict with libertarian ideals.
Should libertarians be libertines?
For my part, I go head to head with SpeakFreely’s online Editor-in-Chief Ogechukwu Egwuatu on the topic “should libertarians be libertines?”. My position is that the celebration of victimless vices is a vital affirmation of self-ownership. Oge argues that vices and hedonism have been shown to harm human flourishing, which is tied to a sense of self-fulfillment involving meaningful work, good health, and strong relationships.
Should libertarians support euthanasia and the right to die?
The topic of assisted dying has been given special attention as of late, thanks in part to Canada’s controversial Medical Assistance in Dying program, and similar proposed legislation in countries such as the United Kingdom. For our debate topic “should libertarians support assisted dying?” Charlies Amos argues in the affirmative, while Paritosh Purohit argues in the negative.
Should libertarians bother to vote?
Emma Goldman once said that if voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal. The merit of voting has always been a subject of disagreement for libertarians. Ian Golan wants you to stay away from the ballot box. Ricardo Felipe, on the other hand, thinks that if you love liberty, you should vote. You can read their debate (complete with rebuttals) here.
Should libertarians defend intellectual property?
Finally, Jonas Kurus and Ruben Ranval debate one of the most contested topics in libertarian circles: that of intellectual property. Should ideas be legally protected? How do IP laws affect the creation of telephones and Winnie The Pooh slasher films? You can read Jonas and Ruben’s arguments here. Who do you agree with?
