The Winchester U3a debating group has now been formed and each month has a formal debate or even a conversation, when as participants we have spent some time researching the facts ourselves, has many benefits.

Furthermore, attending a debate can be more interesting, and thought provoking than attending a conventional lecture. At the end of the debate, it is also of course the audience who decide whether the proponents or opposers of the motion have presented the most convincing argument!

The best topics for debate have fairly strong arguments on both sides and they tend to focus on an action is morally right or wrong.  e.g. abortion, euthanasia. Alternatively a statement is true or false. e.g. life is getting better, climate change is the greatest threat to humanity today.

At our first meeting in January the general consensus was that in February we should informally debate the motion ‘Euthanasia should be legalized in the UK.’ Everyone is doing their own independent research and they will each have up to 5 minutes to present their argument to the rest of the group. We will then all vote either for or against the motion and choose the next topic.

Our first debates have been challenging to prepare for as well as interesting and very thought provoking. The motion for February that ‘Euthanasia should be legalized in the UK ‘ was passed – by a small majority, as was March’s motion that ‘Climate change is the greatest threat to humanity today’. The motion for our third debate on the 24^th of April : ‘Artificial intelligence is more harmful than beneficial’ promises to be even more challenging and we are each looking forward to finding out more about its uses and applications as well as its potential dangers and advantages. New members would be very welcome. If you would like to join the group, please contact the group leader Ann below.

Since April, we have debated the following motions:
‘Artificial intelligence is the greatest threat to humanity today.’ This was a very challenging subject to research and each member of the group approached the topic in a different way. The motion passed.

‘Modern architecture has lost its way.’ For this debate we borrowed the Winchester u3a computer, projector and screen so that we could illustrate different architectural styles. If other groups wish to use this equipment at any time, please contact Vernon Tottle at treasurer@winchesteru3a.co.uk. The motion lost.

This photograph shows the ornate Romanesque architecture of the main hall of the Natural History Museum London, which the Times described as ‘a true Temple to Nature’ when the building was completed in 1881.

‘Books are a better medium for story telling than films.’ This was another interesting debate and although the motion was passed, the arguments against the motion were well constructed as well as thought provoking.

The motion for the July debate is: ‘The world would be better place without organized religion.’

The group meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 2 - 3.30pm in Kings Worthy. If you are
interested in joining us, please contact annedwards@hotmail.co.uk.

To email the Project Leader click on the link with her name. To obtain the Project Leaders telephone number access the Telephone Directory.