Number 86 : May 1997 |
Congratulations to the Editor for taking on all comers in the mind’s market place just as Plato did, peppering the newsletter with his comments. He writes in his credo "Philosophy should invade all one’s activities" so let’s make the newsletter even spicier with some practical ethics. I propose that each edition challenges the membership to debate in no more than 100 words an issue of conscience of public concern that raises a problem or puzzle. Let the best entry be published and let that person set the next competition (should the Editor wish) and/or judge the entries.
Let me start the ball rolling.
Question : how can arms in Northern Ireland be decommissioned ?
There is a method of decommissioning arms in Northern Ireland that has not yet been considered.
Each community could place an equal quantity of arms to be locked in a pound guarded by international soldiers. Should talks break down, either party could request the return of their key. In which case all parties would be given their keys back. At the same time, U.K. troops could be reduced but could be brought back to full strength before the keys were returned.
By this method, arms would be out of commission but not surrendered, and the requirements of the UK government and the I.R.A. would be met.
Next issue’s competition : in 100 words explain why ability to obtain high marks in IQ tests is so seldom correlated with the ability to think clearly and debate intelligently.
Roger Farnworth
Roger - good idea ! I suspect the NI idea falls foul of a lack of trust (ie. would the various sides get their arms back, international soldiers or not).
By the way, Roger would like it to be known that this month’s question is not a poke at his fellow-debaters in PDG !
Let me also say that I’ll print as much material as I’ve space for.
Theo