The Big Questions

Part of my coming to Oxford, and choosing to do Philosophy was to find answers to the big questions or at least examine my fundamental beliefs in them. Far from finding any answers, the more I delve into them, the more I realize how little I know, how far away a fixed answer seems. Still, after a vigorous evening of debating with some friends, I realize now that I don't even have a consistent view on many of these questions, a consistent stance that I can take. This list is a result.

• Is there a meaning to life?
  
• Is there a God? What is the nature of faith and belief?
• Can we really know anything?
• How can we live a good and moral life?
  
• What is justice and equality, which conception is best for society?
  
• What is the basis for rights? Are there any that are inalienable?
• What freedoms are intrinsic to mankind? On what basis can we restrict these freedoms?
• What is a democracy, must we safeguard ourselves against some aspects of it?
  
• Should we allow abortions to occur? Should the state allow it?
• What rights if any do animals have? How does this affect our own behaviour?
• Is the death penalty ever justified? If so, on what grounds and in what circumstances?
• Is conscription justified?
• On what grounds is civil disobedience justified?
• What is consciousness? How can it exist?
• When should censorship be allowed and to what degree?
• What leads to the growth of a democracy and its attendant values?
• To what extent is absolute free trade possible and subsidies/trade barriers be allowed?
• Should we legalise drugs?
• Should we legalise prostiution?
• Should individuals be allowed to choose to die and doctors carry out their wishes? How is the witholding of treatment related to this?
• How objective can History be? Are there limits to interpretation within History?
• Can we know that we exist, that we are not dreaming or a brain in a vat?
• Do we have free will or are out lives determined in some sense?
• Should be support affirmative action and other equal opportunity policies?
• Should a state be secular and to what limits? Does this entail restricting certain freedoms (such as the freedom to wear religious attire)
• Is fair trade really effective, and is it really 'fair'?

Any comments/discussions/opinions are greatly welcome.