debating society – Page 7

This House Believes Science Has Damned Us All.

Posted on 22/05/2014 by The Literific in Uncategorized

The 9^th Ordinary meeting of the 165^th session of the Literary and Scientific society took place on the 28^th of November in the Senate Room.

Matthew Allen, Dr. Stephen Goss and James McAlister proposed the motion. Allen opened the debate with a very interesting account of past philosophers and anthropologists (I think). He ended by reading a lovely poem to the House in its native Swedish. Yes. Goss brought up scientific theories that have been widely accepted but which have since been disproven and asked if it was worthwhile condemning ourselves for this. James McAlister compared our society’s way of life to that of the Amish who follow the bible for guidance and concluded that we will inevitably be damned by our advancements. However, he also said that we should just roll with it and be damned.

Fionnbharr Rodgers, Nick Millington and Dr David Timson opposed the debate. Fionn advised the House to ignore the extremists who create conflict as they are not a fair representation of either side. Mr Millington argued that heaven, the option other than being damned, has been raised in people’s minds but that in reality it may not be so wonderful. Dr Timson, our guest, said that science is good, that it has enhanced our lives in many ways; he argued that if science has damned us then God help the Vatican who sponsor science.

The debate then went to the floor.
Both sides summarised, the proposition in Swedish and we went to a vote. The motion was defeated.

Godkin Debate: This House Believes Too Many People Go to University

Posted on 22/05/2014 by The Literific in Uncategorized

The 8^th meeting of the 165^th Session of the Literific took place on the 21^st of November in the Senate Room. Despite what President Kydd says, it was in fact our 3^rd annual Godkin Debate and not our 165^th.

Emma Chadwick, Connor Hogan and Aisha Sobey were battling for maiden speaker on the proposition. Emma argued that encouraging everyone to go to university would be bad for those not suited to it, those that are and responsible for the economy which we are currently seeing. He claimed that university degrees are becoming worthless and that they are not required for economic growth. Aisha told the House that university shouldn’t be a social expectation and that life skills are heard in the work place, not in lecture theatres.

Ben Murphy, Aaron Toleman and Harry Adair argued for the opposition. Murphy claimed that universities should change to suit everyone but as it stands it doesn’t allow a lot of people to go. Toleman said that you are more likely to get a job if you have a degree than if not and that there is a causation between going to university and having a healthy diet, exercising and not smoking. Adair explained that the only reason we have an established academic nature is because university is open to all and it should remain so.

The debate then went to the floor.
We went to a vote and the motion passed.
Paul Shannon, our eternal leader, then went through everyone’s speeches and the winner announced was… Connor Hogan! Congrats!

This House Believes the United States is So 20th Century.

Posted on 22/05/2014 by The Literific in Uncategorized

The 7^th Ordinary Meeting of the 165^th Session of the Literific took place on the 14^th of November in the Canada Room (boo Canada).

Julia Andrade-Rocha, Vincent Wooding and Andrew Carruthers spoke for proposition. Ms Andrade-Rocha felt that the US is pushing people away by spying on them and that no one is taking it seriously anymore. Wooding listed all that was wrong with America. ALL. He told the House that the US is still in the 20^th century as far as civil rights go. Mr Carruthers explained that although the US has soft power and the substance has changed, that the US remains in the Cold War mentality of the 20^th Century.

Dr Stefan Andreasson, Cormac Manning (UCC) any Mr Tyler McNally opposed the motion. Dr Andreasson paised the US on its continuity and on its formidable influence which is seen through mass immigration, unrivalled military capacity and social media. Mr Manning talked about America’s power in trade and politics and how these two factors are recognized worldwide showing its international power. Mr McNally told the House that he didn’t just hate America but if fact hated the whole world, that the US may be backwards politically but so are all other countries.

The debate then went to the floor.
Both sides summarised and we went to a vote. The motion was defeated.