INDUBITABLY: The Debate Podcast

American WNBA player Brittney Griner was just sentenced to 9 years of jail time by a Russian court.  Is it fair for her, or anybody, to be jailed for the crimes of a country they are visiting, especially when those same actions are not illegal in their home nation?  Alternatively, if you commit a crime in your home country, should other countries, who might not agree with that particular policy, o...

Our gender, through both nature and nurture plays a defining role in almost every aspect of our lives.  We explore both the benefits and shortcomings of the ways in which society has defined what it means to operate in this world as a male or a female, starting from before we are even born and carrying through to adulthood.

Some of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of scientific and medical research have come through questionable, if not completely immoral means.  How do we balance the ethics of acknowledging the suffering of one group of victims with the desire to provide potentially life saving treatment to another?  When we personally benefit from evil actions taken in the past, do we become complicit? 

Elon Musk’s proposed 44 billion dollar takeover, and then subsequent backtracking has left the fate of Twitter in the hands of the Delaware Court of Chancery.  While it's unlikely Musk will be forced to purchase the company he no longer wants, it raises the questions of whether or not he would be good for the platform, as well as whether or not the existence of Twitter itself is good or bad for so...

Hunting is close to a billion dollar industry with animals from squirrels to endangered elephants finding themselves on the wrong side of a scope.  What are the moral implications of killing an animal, particularly when they have no realistic way of fighting back?  Are there practical benefits to conservation that hunting provides that might justify the action?

On this Fourth of July we celebrate our Independence Day by asking if… we should celebrate our Independence Day?  How far is too far when it comes to Patriotism?  Should we say the Pledge of Allegiance in schools?  Is America the greatest country in the world?  Would we have been better off if we had just stayed part of the British Empire?

We as a society are obsessed with True Crime.  Let’s just be blunt, opening a window to the evil humanity is capable of can be fascinating.  But when media exposes the stories of real people for all of us to consume, are the storytellers and audience just innocent observers? Or do we start to become culpable for some degree of harm to the victims of these cases? 

Millions of illegal immigrants live in the United States right now, with millions more attempting to cross the border every year.  Are these migrants an unsustainable drain on our resources, or do the economic benefits they provide outweigh the costs?  Do countries have a greater moral obligation to ensure their own citizens are cared for, or do people have an inherent right to be supported regard...

Josh and Kelly go head to head in this episode, arguing over whether or not our government is stealing from us.  They tackle questions around the ethics of consent (or lack thereof), how infrastructure and services could be provided without taxation, and whether or not we actually possess the representation required to be taxed fairly.

Our memories define who we are as people.  It’s no wonder then that humans have always been fascinated by the ideas of wielding the power of perfect recall, or having the ability to forget painful experiences.  Would these tools give us more control over our work, relationships or health?  Or does the allure of control over our memory pose more dangers than benefits? 

The US and UK share a policy of “never” negotiating with terrorists.  Does this blanket policy deter future attacks or kidnappings? Or are we just condemning innocent hostages to death, leaving them abandoned in the hands of their captors?  Should we treat other similar organizations, e.g., drug cartels, gangs or PIRATES in the same way?

The answer to whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza is obvious, but have you ever considered what constitutes a pizza in the first place?  Should “experts” or critics have the right to define our food for us, or tell us what and where we should be eating?  Do certain peoples or cultures to have a rightful claim of “ownership” over traditional dishes?

The Effective Altruism movement asks people to donate more of themselves to charities, and make sure that those causes will use their resources as efficiently as possible.  Are you a less moral person for giving money to the Red Cross, if you could save more lives donating elsewhere?  Is it ok to prioritize your own family, friends or community over people living around the world who are in greate...

Space has captured our imaginations for thousands of years, and from the Cold War to more recent contests between the ultra rich, countries and corporations alike are racing to stake their claim to the heavens.  What is there to gain from controlling the universe outside of our atmosphere?  Should anyone even be able to own the territories or resources of outer space?  If so, how do we balance out...

Will Smith’s slapping of Chris Rock at the Oscars has brought public attention to the question of whether or not there are certain topics that should be off limits for comedians.  If so, where exactly should that line be drawn?  If a comedian crosses that line, what is the appropriate response to it?  Is Amy Schumer funny?  Some of these questions have more obvious answers than others.

Democracy is a Billion dollar industry.  Where does this money come from?  What exactly is it buying?  We look at the rules surrounding campaign contributions and question whether or not they strike an equal balance between protecting the legitimacy of our democratic system and the constitutionally protected right to free speech.  When all the cash is counted, does the average citizen have a reali...

It’s hard to find a good definition of what Critical Race Theory is in the mainstream media.  We try to provide exactly that, as well as examine this concept’s strengths and weaknesses.  If and where it does have merit, should it be included as part of our school’s curriculums?  What sort of policy implications could this theory have for our society at large?

Josh and Kelly team up to propose the assassination of the Russian President in a formal debate.  The discussion explores how this targeted killing stacks up against other alternative solutions to the crisis in Ukraine.  Does Vladimir Putin deserve to die?  Would his death bring an end to the conflict? Or would backlash from his successor just make the situation worse for everyone involved?

With the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the highest court of the land, we examine the confirmation process she will have to survive in order to be appointed to the bench.  Beyond the controversies that surround the politicization of that particular process, the Supreme Court is wrestling with calls for reform, from court packing to term limits.

As Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, we take on the concept of royalty, examining its legitimacy and efficacy.  From the ruling families of old, to modern constitutional monarchies, to the remaining absolute monarchies, does the existence of royalty translate to a better quality of life for their subjects?

Some of the most influential minds of our generation are warning us about the potential dangers of AI.  But, with the benefits this emerging technology has to offer us, along with the potential profits to be made off of its development, research is certainly not slowing down.  Would a world populated by intelligent machines be a future utopia?  Or will humanity face extinction at the hands of our...

Around the globe, over $500 billion in subsidies are provided to farmers every year.  Proponents suggest this money helps protect our food supply and stabilize the agricultural industry against both market and natural forces.  But critics say subsidies are not only inequitable, but damaging to the environment and economies alike.

On this Valentine’s Day, we decide to take a break from more simplistic subject matters like international affairs, philosophical enquiry or economic theory, in order to focus on something a bit more complicated: romance.  Specifically the benefits and challenges posed by dating apps as their users try to navigate the modern dating scene.

From vaccine mandates to police brutality, certain sports figures have used their unique platform to bring attention to political and social causes that they care about.  But, as a venue that has the power to unite typically divided groups of people, should the sports pitch be off limits from these types of protests?  Is it fair for leagues to silence their stars, removing their ability to speak o...

When words aren’t enough, how do we influence the behavior of a rogue nation?  In an attempt to avoid going to war, oftentimes countries and international actors implement sanctions as a way of convincing uncooperative governments to comply with their demands.  We discuss what factors help determine the success or failure of these efforts.