Category Archives: Debate

Philosophical arguments and willful contraryness

Answering the McCann Question

Posted on 23 December 2009 by Robert

Mark Pack asked me to write a guest piece for the Liberal Democrat Voice on Libel Reform. It was a good opportunity to dig a little deeper into the argument for reform, and rebutt one of the most common objections to making changes. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Human Rights, Law and Order, Lib Dem Voice, UK | 1 Comment

After The Debate

Posted on 16 November 2009 by Robert

I promised I would put up a few afterthoughts on the Political Correctness debate I particpated in last month. Its hardly a live story now, but I do think it is important to write follow-ups to such happenings. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Diary, Political Correctness | Leave a comment

This House Believes Political Correctness is Sane and Necessary

Posted on 17 October 2009 by Robert

So, I was invited to take part in a debate at the Cambridge Union on Thursday night. We were debating the motion “This House Believes That Political Correctness is Sane and Necessary”, and naturally, I was proposing the motion. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Diary, Political Correctness | Leave a comment

Build a Better Baggie

Posted on 9 September 2009 by Robert

I recall an urban myth I once heard, which was that Marlborough Cigarettes have the trademark “Marleys” pre-registered for the eventual legalisation of pot. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Law and Order | 1 Comment

Why They Cheer

Posted on 23 August 2009 by Robert

There has been plenty of outrage over the release of Lockerbie Bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi. The scenes of him arriving in Libya to a hero’s welcome have provoked disgust in the UK. Why cheer a terrorist? It’s worth considering the situation … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Debate, Terrorism | 7 Comments

Journalists and the Web

Posted on 10 February 2009 by Robert

Plenty of my friends now seem to use Facebook as a place to post pictures of their babies. Does that mean that they are obsessed? No more so than all my childless mates, who only ever post images from their holidays, or of weddings. We choose to only record certain things, tiny slivers of our lives. Thank God they don’t post pictures of themselves on the train, or worse, on the bog. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Internet Philosophy, Media | 3 Comments

A Note on My Note on Modern Liberty

Posted on 26 January 2009 by Robert

My aim in making the video (or rather, making the point) was to provide a persuasive argument that may convince people that remain ambivalent, rather than a place to show anger, solidarity, or both. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Diary, Human Rights, Internet Philosophy, Modern Liberty, Visual | Leave a comment

Sentamu and the moral leadership of Anglicanism

Posted on 18 January 2009 by Robert

If the Church of England cannot provide a common moral vision for the world-wide Anglican Community, why should we suppose it would be any better at providing one for 21st Century Britain? Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Multiculturalism, Religion, UK | Leave a comment

The Convention on Modern Liberty

Posted on 18 January 2009 by Robert

The website is now tested and live at www.modernliberty.net. Please tell your friends, spread the word, and buy a ticket. That other site of mine, LiberalConspiracy, is a supporter too. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, History, Human Rights, Law and Order, Modern Liberty, UK | 2 Comments

On Trolls, Liberty, Debate and Damian Green

Posted on 8 December 2008 by Robert

It all depends on what kind of conversation you want to have, and it is often impossible to talk about something at the level of detail you desire, if you are arguing first principles. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, History, Human Rights, Law and Order, Liberal Conspiracy | 1 Comment