The Philodemic had a Bible-thumpin’ good time at our most recent debate, “Resolved: The message of the Sermon on the Mount is absurd.” Keynoting for the Affirmation, Mr. Chris Tosetti employed the standards of the great Søren Kierkegaard to characterize the Sermon on the Mount as rationally unintelligible, and therefore absurd. He was joined by Mr. John Lim, making his induction keynote. Lim held Matthew 5:39’s command to “offer no resistance to evil” as a prime example of the utter absurdity of Christ’s sermon. The Negation held their own though. Mr. Brian Harbour’s keynote began with what can only be described as charming shtick, but blossomed into a defense of the relevance of the sermon’s moral instruction. Inducted alongside him was Mr. Sam Park, who crystallized the sermon’s message into a contention that seemingly degraded individuals are in fact happy. Floor debate was righteous! Chancellor Drew reminded the society that reason without faith cannot grasp the sermon’s consequences, thereby making it absurd. Mr. Henderson backed up the negation with his reminder that Gandhi, MLK and Mandela lived their lives by the dictates of the sermon… and that the world is better for it.

At the end of a rip-roaring evening, the society affirmed the resolution with 29 affirming to 18 negating to 2 abstaining.

The following Merrick Points were awarded:

1: Kwami

2: Hale

3: Tosetti

4: Peterson

5: Walker

CURRENT MERRICK POINT TOTALS

1: Drew, Desnick, Kwami

2: Cantirino, Hale

3: Grace, Tosetti

4: Peterson

5: Walker, Downes, Harbour

Please join us in the Philodemic Room on Thursday, February 11 at 8 pm to debate “Resolved: Unrequited romantic love is a myth.” See the Philodemic Society group on Facebook for more information.

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SHD

The Philodemic enjoyed a rich and engaging discussion this week over “Resolved: America’s War on Drugs should end.” Mr. Peter Grace’s affirmation keynote laid out both utilitarian and constitutionalist criticisms of the current War on Drugs, while Mr. Will Downes countered in his negation keynote that drugs are a threat to freedom and humanity. From the floor, Mr. Harbour sagely advised that the society not be deluded into misinterpreting this debate as one over legalization, when in reality it merits discussion of the specific policies constituting the US War on Drugs. From President Wagner’s connection of the War on Terror to the War on Drugs to Mr. Cantirino’s fiery reminder of the fusion of body and soul to Mr. Medina’s memorable declaration “I like drugs!”, the society burst with enthusiasm for this controversial subject.

Ultimately, the society affirmed the resolution by a vote of 25 to 15.

Please join us in the Philodemic Room on Thursday, February 4 at 8 pm to debate “Resolved: The message of the Sermon on the Mount is absurd.” See the Philodemic Society group on Facebook for more information.

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SHD

The Philodemic Society returned from a relaxing winter break with new officers, new faces and renewed zeal for an especially mavericky debate: “Resolved: Sarah Palin represents the future of American Democracy.” Keynoting for the affirmation, Mr. Alex Henderson wowed the crowd with his eloquence, panache and rationalization that affirming this resolution does not at all imply affection for the controversial ex-Governor. He met stiff resistance from the equally articulate and persuasive Mr. Drew Peterson, the negation keynoter. Mr. Peterson crafted a sweeping tale of American populism, featuring such luminaries as Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor and George W. Bush… only to argue that populism’s time had passed. Ensuing floor speeches ranged from defenses of Palin to denigrations of American political culture to Mr. Biesiada’s sage reminder of the power of “Big Block of Cheese Day” (RIP Leo McGarry…).

In the end, the society negated the resolution by a vote of 16 affirming to 40 negating. A rollickin’ good debate? You betcha! ; )

Please join us in the Philodemic Room on Thursday, January 28 at 8 pm to debate “Resolved: America’s War on Drugs should end.” See the Philodemic Society group on Facebook for more information.

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SHD

The Philodemic Society is pleased to announce its officers for the Spring 2010 semester:

President – Miss Allison Wagner

Vice President – Mr. Brandon Butterworth

Treasurer – Miss Emma Green

Corresponding Secretary – Mr. Matthew Cantirino

Membership Secretary – Miss Claire McCarthy

Librarian – Mr. Michael Desnick

Amanuensis – Mr. Sam Dulik

Congratulations to all new officers, and we look forward to a great semester!

Classes had ended, the weather was cold.  Dahlgren had its Christmas tree, and the Philodemic Society had its annual Christmas Debate.  The Society gathered in the Lohrfink Auditorium in the Rafik B. Hariri Building for a fun-filled debate on “Resolved: The War on Christmas has been a Failure.”  Starting off the night with his induction keynote on the affirmation, Mr. Nicholas Iacono eloquently highlighted the hope that inspires us at the holidays.  Following him on the negation, Mr. Silvio Gutierrez created a hilarious parallel between the War on Christmas and the War on Terror, throwing in references to Tupac and Lady Gaga to boot.  Responding on the affirmation, Mr. Sam Biesiada spoke of consumerism, lauding investment banks for doing God’s work.  Finishing up the opening keynotes on the negation, Mr. Cavanaugh noted that the resolution only requires lack of failure, not full success, and gave shout-outs to Dan Quayle, Christopher Hitchens and Santa Claus.

Much fun followed on the floor, and the Society was grateful for John Calvin, A Christmas Carol and electric menorahs.

With a show of optimism unusual in the Philodemic Society, this resolution was happily affirmed, 40-16-4.

After inducting Mr. Iacono and Mr. Cavanaugh with Christmas cheer, the Society adjourned to the most fabulous Christmas Party Georgetown University has ever seen.  Please join us next semester as we dive into Merrick Season and enjoy many more Thursdays of Philodemifun.

Merry Christmas (and Happy Hanukkah!) to all, and to all, a good night.

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EOG

The Philodemic took a thespian turn on Thursday at our debate “Resolved: Hamlet was Mad.”  Gathering with friends new and old in the lovely Riggs Library, the Society sat captivated by the performances of our four fabulous keynoters.  On the affirmation, Mr. Brendan McElroy argued that madness is not clinical or legal, but an obsessive state of mind that drove Hamlet to beckon death.  Standing before the Society for the first time on the negation, Mr. Sam Dulik whipped out witty words, one after another, arguing that Hamlet crafted his image of insanity, plotting the death of Claudius with perfectly sane deliberation.  Back on the affirmation, Mr. Chris Tosetti made an equally entertaining induction speech, arguing that the nihilistic, obsessive and suicidal rants of Hamlet testify to a mad state of mind.  Miss Jessica Stevens finished out the keynotes on the negation, quoting “To be or not to be” with perfect acuity to argue that Hamlet mused death with logical, cold inhumanity.  The floor speeches following these amazing openings covered many grounds of madness.  For some, Hamlet seemed to act in a perfectly human way, trapped in terrible circumstances, while for others, his attempt to love in itself was an act of madness.  The debate teetered between madness and performance, leaning left when Mr. Olmstead fell to the floor in “the worm,” and swinging happily back when Mr. Dulik pulled out the skull of Yorick.

The evening was wonderful drama, coming to a close conclusion when the resolution was negated, 21-27-1.  Mr. Dulik and Mr. Tosetti entered into the Society with perfectly poised performances, and we are all proud to count them among our ranks.

Please (please, PLEASE) join us next Wednesday, December 9 for our annual Christmas Debate and reception.  We will gather in Lohrfink Auditorium in the MSB Building at 8 pm to debate “Resolved: The War on Christmas has been a failure.”  See the Philodemic Society group on Facebook for more information.

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In the words of the great President Drew, Thursday was a triumphant night for the Philodemic.  The Society gathered with many welcomed guests for the debate “Resolved: The States Should Legalize Same-Sex Marriage.”  On the affirmation, the superbly dressed Corina Kwami framed the debate in terms of equal protection and benefits.  Marriage is an exchange between different members of the community that carries certain rights and privileges, and Miss Kwami argued passionately that the state plays an essential role in extending equality to all.  On the negation, Drew Peterson unleashed legal fire, arguing that the propagative purpose of heterosexual relationships marks them as crucially distinct in the legal discourse on rights.  Mr. Peterson showed with characteristic clarity that states have no particular interest in regulating homosexual relationships, so they have no legal obligation to support or oppose gay marriages.   After the opening keynotes, the Society heard some of the best floor speeches of the year – members and guests alike spoke with passion and respect.  Many on the affirmation argued that distinct categories for different types of relationships marginalize groups.  On the other hand, many negation speakers argued against the regulation of marriage itself – as Mr. Brian Harbour so eloquently put it, “It’s not eHarmony.gov.”  On the whole, the debate was thoughtful and entertaining – a true testament to the best abilities of the Society.

Many thanks to all who came to the debate, but a special thanks to the members of GU Pride, who worked with the Society on the topic and made a strong showing on Thursday evening.  The Philodemic appreciates contributions from all parts of the campus community, and we hope to continue our growing relationship with new friends at Pride.

After a great night, this resolution was heartily affirmed, 30-15-2.  All in attendance marched merrily to the apartment of Dustin Walker and Philofriends, where a fabulously fun Philoparty made for a great conclusion to the night.  Please join us next week for the final regular debate of the season (before the legendary Christmas Debate, that is!) – “Resolved: Hamlet was mad.”

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The Society met on Thursday to discuss “Resolved: The Global War on Terror has been a Failure.”  Starting out the evening on the affirmation, Mr. Alex Henderson outlined efforts of the United States in Afghanistan, arguing that Afghanistan is the War on Terror and has been a monumental failure.  Debuting before the Society in her induction keynote, Miss Claire McCarthy countered this claim fiercely.  She argued that our intelligence capabilities have improved drastically, reducing the number of isolated terrorist cells worldwide and preventing attacks on American soil.  Also joining us for his induction keynote, Mr. César López eloquently argued that terrorist groups have actually become stronger since 2001 because of the polarizing actions of the United States.  Finishing off the opening keynotes on the negation, Mr. Silvio Gutierrez gave an entertaining but thoughtful speech, arguing that we must construct an ideology of tolerance and justice that can compete with extremism.

Floor speeches for the evening went well, although as Mr. Desnick kindly reminded us, “they can’t all be gems, folks.”  The non-members who spoke this evening did a particularly excellent job of keeping the debate focused and engaging.  After four wonderful closing keynotes, the Society divided the room to pass judgment on the defining American foreign policy agenda of this century.  In a cuttingly close decision, this resolution was negated, 16-15-2.  Miss McCarthy and Mr. López were inducted with cheer – the Society is grateful to add them to our ranks.

Please join us next week for what will surely be the defining debate of the fall season: “Resolved: The states ought to legalize gay marriage.”

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Fierce competition brought the Philodemic Room to life this week as the Philodemic Society took on George Washington’s Enosinian Society in the second annual Columbia Cup competition!  Our two Societies went head to head in the debate, “Resolved: The death penalty should be abolished.”  Using eloquence in defense of liberty on the affirmation were Mr. Will Downes and Mr. Dustin Walker of the Philodemic.  Using passionate speech in defense of the death penalty on the negation were Mr. Sean Peerenboom and Mr. Alex Shoucair of the Enosinian.  Both sides delivered convincing arguments flawlessly, debating the concept of justice, the possibility of deterrence, and the fallibility of the justice system.  Following the opening keynotes, floor speakers added fire to the debate, questioning cultural relativity, the right to take another’s life, and what it means to deserve to die.  All speakers were excellent, including many friends from the Enosinian Society.

After thought-provoking closing keynotes, the results of the debate and the competition were announced.  The room was divided, and this resolution was affirmed, 35-18.  As for the competition itself, two alumni, Mr. Aaron Connelly (GW ‘08) and Mr. Alex Sanjenis (GU ‘03)  were kind enough to serve as judges and weigh the merits of the four keynoters.  After some intense deliberation, the Philodemic Society was named victorious, winning the Columbia Cup once again.

Thank you to all who came to the debate, and special thanks to our two judges.  The Philodemic Society had an excellent time debating the Enosinian, and we look forward to much future fun.  To one and all – please join us this Thursday for a nice dose of International Relations in “Resolved: The Global War on Terror has been a Failure.”

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The Society gathered on Thursday to discuss “Resolved: President Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize.”  This controversial topic drew numerous new faces to the Philodemic Room, and the Society was delighted to see and hear from so many esteemed guests.  On the affirmation, Miss Allison Wagner spoke eloquently of the responsibility for the future President Obama has shouldered.  His Nobel Peace Prize was a call to action and an affirmation of his multilateral approach to diplomacy.  Mr. Peter Grace challenged this claim cleverly, reading a list of President Obama’s past accomplishments in all offices to demonstrate just how little the President has done.  Mr. Grace argued that President Obama pales in comparison to other nominees and past winners, cheapening the award itself.  The floor speakers following did an award-worthy job of examining the issue from complex perspectives, exploring the value of the prize, the meaning of peace and the achievements of President Obama.

After  swift and solid closings by the keynoters, the Society divided the room, yielding an unexpectedly narrow negation of 15-2-17.  A journey to Martin’s afterward completed the night – the only thing we lacked was a team of cheerful Norwegians affirming our multidimensional approach to debate.

Please join us next week in the Philodemic Room as we take on the Enosinian Society of George Washington University in the second annual Columbia Cup competition.  The debate is sure to be quite a showing of fierce rhetorical talent on both sides.

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