Impulses
Verbal jousts
From its very beginnings, debate has been inextricably intertwined with the concept of the open society. In ancient Athens, citizens gathered in forums to discuss and debate the most pressing issues of the day before casting their votes. Such debates were an integral part of the new form of government Athens (the origin of Ateneo) was to bequeath to the world: democracy.
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Unlike totalitarian and other undemocratic regimes where a limited set of ideas are imposed as absolute truths, democratic societies depend upon the free and open exchange of ideas. Indeed, it may be said that true democracy cannot exist without debate. For democracy to function, the values that debate encourages - reason, tolerance, the careful weighing of evidence - must be cherished and nurtured. But even within societies that restrict open discussion, debate can teach young people that no one person or government possesses the ultimate truth.
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Today, from the slums of Tondo to the extravagant floors of Makati, from the bullet-ridden Abra to the bombing-painted Basilan and beyond, debates are gaining ground as forums for promoting democratic values. And just as Socrates spurred his listeners to examine their assumptions 2,500 years ago, debate is today encouraging students around the world to question, to listen to each other, and to explore even the most volatile, trivial, or often-neglected subjects openly and in the spirit of tolerance, intellectual discourse, pleasantry, and cooperation.
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In this juncture, permit me to give you some of the things to talk about to solicit some highbrow, amusing discussions among friends:
Q: Should abortion be permitted?
A: Some might immediately say yes. The dilemma here, however, is how to justify situations when the life of the mother is at stake (or something that is analogous to that situation) or that when does the life of a baby begin? Will the existence of life commence upon the injection of the sperm to the vagina, upon the meeting of the sperm cell with the egg cell, upon delivery, or upon weeks after the brain of the child is already developed?
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Q: Should gay couples be given the same legal rights as heterosexuals in adopting children?
A: Here the debate may revolve on the issue of parent modeling.
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Q: Should AIDS drugs be made cheaper for developing and underdeveloped countries?
A: Why not? The question here is that will capitalist drug companies like Pfizer simply allow it without asking for a reward?
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Q: Should the sale and consumption of alcohol -- the world's favorite drug -- be further restricted, or even banned?
A: Banned? That means no sin taxes anymore. That means no revenue for government officials to steal anymore? That will be odd for our dear politicos.
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Q: Is it morally acceptable to experiment on non-human animals to develop products and medicines that benefit human beings?
A: This is spiced with too much tension between PETA concerns and health. People might even end up in a stalemate before a cure is developed.
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Q: Do non-human animals have rights?
A: Here's my Solomonic verdict to non-human animals: Right to live, yes; right to living wage, no.
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Q: Should human beings be allowed to use other animals as objects of sport and entertainment?
A: Well, I enjoyed watching Happy Feet. Maybe it is also a good idea to have one in real life.
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Q: Can the assassination of a dictator be justified?
A: It depends on what kind of a dictator the person is: Ferdinand Marcos or Lee Kuan Yew?
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Q: Should assisted suicide be legalized?
A: Like time, death is relative.
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Q: Should we be trying to prevent species becoming extinct?
A: If the species of traditional politicians is about to be wiped out, that's the time that we stop from saving them.
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Q: Should cameras be placed in courtrooms so that criminal trials can be televised?
A: Yes, unless the judge is camera shy.
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Q: Is it ever justifiable to execute criminals?
A: I prefer the "life-is-sacred" alibi than the "an-eye-for-an-eye" excuse.
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Q: What is the right balance to strike between freedom of and restrictions upon artistic expression?
A: When death of the country is already imminent.
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Q: Does China give the rest of the world reasons for fear, in political, economic or social terms?
A: The scepter of communism is haunting us again!?
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Q: When is it justifiable for protesters and activists to break the law for the sake of their cause?
A: When the law is already working against the welfare of the people.
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A: Should voting in elections be compulsory?
Q: It would be very hard to vote if you don't have too much choices.
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Q: Should doctors be allowed to prescribe contraception for girls under the age of 16?
A: Yes, of course. Experimental bliss can't wait. You cannot compete with the hormones of the young. Hence, if you can't stop them, prevent them.
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Q: Is physical force a justifiable method of punishing criminals?
A: Is it necessary?
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Q: Is physical force a justifiable method of punishing children?
A: It depends on what the parent is holding and to what is that for. The kid must also know why the heck he is punished in the first place. "Children" here means below 18, or even lower, okay.
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Q: Is democracy, as is so often assumed, really the best form of government?
A: Ask the common man. He will give you the best answer.
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Q: Should developed countries cancel the debts of the poorest nations?
A: They must, unless they are gluttonously greedy.
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Q: Should divorce be made even easier to obtain, or are there social and moral reasons to discourage it?
A: Like education, divorce must also be relevant and accessible to all.
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Q: Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport be legalized?
A: Maybe only if we add another sports category--for drug users.
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Q: Should school students face mandatory drug-tests?
A: It won't solve anything. It's just a social placebo.
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Q: Is nuclear power the best way to meet the ever-increasing energy needs of the planet, or do alternative energy sources provide a viable alternative?
A: I choose to use both. Forget fossil fuels, too.
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Q: Should examinations be replaced with other forms of assessment?
A: Hands-on assessments are more reliable, isn't it?
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Q: Should the opening and closing hours of pubs and bars be extended?
A: Yes, by all means. Just make sure it is open only for adult customers and adult entertainers.
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Q: Should the Arroyo government be judged a failure?
A: Your guess is as good as mine.
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Q: Should force be used to protect human rights?
A: Isn't it Ironic?
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Q: Is it ever right for government to restrict freedom of speech?
A: No comment. Maybe First Gentleman Mike Arroyo can say a lot of things about this.
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Q: Should homosexual couples be allowed to marry?
A: If to marry means to legally live as one, as partners for life, why not allow the gays to be legally married?
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Q: Should gays and lesbians be allowed into the armed forces?
A: Sir, yes Sir. I'm sure they make good in making more creative attack strategies. They can also assure that living life as a soldier in the combat zone isn't that boring after all.
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I' promise I will give you some more interesting topics to discuss in my next column. I hope you get a smile from the ones that I have given you today.
Just to remind you folks. What I have written are just based on my impulses. Hence, they are written more for laughter than for tears.
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Engr. Herman Lagon may be reached through h_lagon@yahoo.com.