Club Debate ---

Where on earth did this come from?  It was an interesting debate, nevertheless.

Patrick Conway proposed the motion but nearly demolished his arguments by inserting the phrase "... can (not will) produce ...".  He cited the impact of education on human nature and contrasted vocational with academic education.

David Jackson then rose to speak against the motion using similar arguments to Patrick's, especially that of human nature.  He contended that monsters are not educated and that experience (arguably the best form of education) has softened the attitudes of many "monsters".  One meorable phrase used by David (although I couldn't see its relevance) was "Genius has boundaries - stupidity has none".

During the subsequent discussion one of our members with many years experience in the teaching profession maintained that teachers "turn monsters into human beings" and that monsters are the product of their parentage!  He went on to suggest that religion is at the root of many monstrous acts throughout history.  But that contentious argument surely just brings us back to human nature?

At the conclusion of the discussion a vote was taken and the "Nos" won by a significant majority.

EC