Society B. J. F. Organizes Discussions on Wealthy Individuals and Advanced Technology in AI
The Benedict Fenwick Debate Society, the oldest campus organisation established in 1846, recently held a lively debate on the topic "Resolved: Billionaires have a Greater Moral Duty." The event, held on February 3, 2025, in the Levis Browsing Room of Dinand Library, attracted a large number of students.
Sam Fortier '27, Ian Sykes '28, and John Zimmermann '26 represented the affirmative, arguing that AI has enabled unethical practices and has been promulgated by a few ambitious corporations. They contended that billionaires, as the primary beneficiaries of these technologies, hold a greater moral responsibility to ensure their use is ethical and beneficial for society.
On the other hand, Daniel Capobianco '25, Muataz Abtan '27, and Ella Murray '27 represented the negative. They argued that AI has opened new frontiers of innovation, including those crucial to advancements in healthcare. They suggested that governments may issue regulations on artificial intelligence to counteract malicious usage, implying that billionaires' moral duty lies in compliance with these regulations.
Capobianco started the debate with a strong opening statement, declaring, "Ladies and gentlemen, you have all been fooled, deceived, hoodwinked, and tricked." However, the debate topics discussed, which included the 2024 presidential election, the possibility of Greek life on campus, and the nature of human morality, seemed to steer the conversation away from a clear-cut resolution.
The judges, Judge Stueber and Judge Mooney, found technical grounds for the affirmative and negative respectively. Despite the inconclusive outcome, the debate sparked intense discussions among the audience and participants.
In a separate event, after a 20-year hiatus, the B.J.F. Society hosted its first public session on Dec. 2nd, 2022. The debate topics for the revived B.J.F. Society focused on Clarence Thomas and the state of capitalism. Liam Murphy '25, Nora Kelly '27, and Nicholas Gobo '28 represented the affirmative, while Julia Wheeler, William Ulterino, and Maggie Baughman represented the negative. Nora Kelly '27 delivered a closing statement at this event.
The second debate of the semester for both societies was held on February 17th, 2025, in Hogan Campus Center (Hogan 320) near the Hogan Ballroom. The second debate topic for the Benedict Fenwick Debate Society was "Resolved: the Growth of AI is Harming Society."
Despite extensive research, there are no available search results documenting a specific stance or debate outcome from either the Benedict Fenwick Debate Society or the revived B.J.F. Society regarding the moral duty of billionaires or the growth of artificial intelligence from their debates or subsequent events. If you seek detailed insights into their stance, those may not be publicly documented or accessible through the provided sources. Further information might require direct contact with the societies or access to their official debate records or publications.
AI remains a prominent topic in 2025 with widespread discussion on its impact on various sectors, including ethics and economics. However, no direct connection to the Benedict Fenwick Debate Society or their positions emerges from the results.
- The upcoming event by the revived B.J.F. Society, scheduled for February 17th, 2025, will focus on the debate topic, "Resolved: the Growth of AI is Harming Society."
- In a lifelong learning context, maintaining a capable understanding of the impact of AI on society is crucial for education-and-self-development.
- Online education platforms have been innovations that feature AI, bridging the gap between traditional learning methods and technology-based learning.
- The controversial debate topic of "Resolved: Billionaires have a Greater Moral Duty" touched upon AI's ethical implications in society, as discussed by the Benedict Fenwick Debate Society.
- Recent events, including debates by campus organizations such as the Benedict Fenwick Debate Society, are vital news sources for staying informed on critical discussions shaping education-and-self-development and the larger society.
