Debating society comes to a hasty conclusion

THE UCC Philosophical Society is a forum designed to facilitate democratic debate. At its most recent debate — “That we believe God is fraud” — the audience and those who participated endured an affront to democracy.

It was a riveting debate with speakers from far and wide who had earnestly waited until the close for the result of the vote.

An audience of about 50 voted and it was hard to tell which side had actually won.

Members of the audience called for a count, but instead of counting hands the guest auditor dismissed the votes of the audience saying “in the interests of this house getting to the social, I call this debate a tie”.

Basically, getting to the pub was more important than seeing which side had won. The audience had received no prior warning the votes would not even be counted.

While this university society is so flippant in dismissing the result of a vote on a motion, it need not wonder why fewer and fewer people are attending its debates.

The arrogant message is that votes don’t matter, and since one’s vote is an expression of one’s individuality (one person — one vote), then I propose that in not counting the votes, “the Philosoph” said those who attend simply don’t count.

Mary O’Regan

‘Murlough’

Firgrove Drive

Bishopstown

Cork