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TERM CARD
Thursday 2nd April
Freshers Impressions
Thursday 9th April
An Audience with Tom Stoppard
Thursday 16th April
The Phil Speaks Grand Final
Thursday 23rd April
The Maggies Grand Final
Thursday 30th April
The AGM
OUR SPONSORS
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Welcome to the homepage of The University Philosophical Society, Trinity College's leading student society.
Since its foundation in the 17th century, the Society, often referred to as 'The Phil', has concerned itself with the art of oratory, teaching young people the skills of public speaking and the value of free speech. Traditionally, members of the Society meet in The Chamber of The Graduates' Memorial Building every Thursday evening to debate a topical motion, discuss a paper or hear an address. Some of Trinity College's most renown figures have played a role in the history of the Society, from Bram Stoker, J.B. Yeats and Egbert Udo Udoma to J.P. Mahaffy, Earnest Walton and Oscar Wilde. Further history of the Society can be accessed through the 'About Us' button at the top of this page.
Every year, The Phil invites luminaries from the worlds of politics, academia, business and the arts to address the students of Trinity College. In recent years, the Society has played host to guests such as renown actor Al Pacino, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, presidential candidate John McCain, actress Dame Helen Mirren, writer Sir Salman Rushdie and Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In recent months the Society has been addressed by renowned actors John C. McGinley, John C. Reilly and Jonathan Rhys Meyers and legendary music producer Chris Blackwell as well as such figures of political importance as House Majority Whip Trent Lott and the US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.
All students are encouraged to involve themselves in the Society during their time in Trinity College and take advantage of the vast facilities of the Society's building, The GMB. The Phil has so much to offer, from inspirational guest speakers and public speaking workshops, to social events, competitions and trips away.
JOHN BOYNE
Writer and author of 'The boy in the Striped Pajamas'
Wednesday 22nd April, 1pm, The GMB
John Boyne John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas will be making an addressing in the GMB this Wednesday at 1pm. Boyne will be speaking about launching a literary career, his experience writing 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' and overseeing it's adaptation into a film. He will also be reading from his as yet, unpublished book.
He is the author of six novels in over 40 languages, as well as a number of short stories which have been published in various anthologies and broadcast on radio and television. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which to date has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and a film adaptation was released in September 2008.
TOM STOPPARD
Renowned play write and screen writer.
Thursday 9th April, 7:30pm, The GMB
Tom Stoppard is the renowned British screenwriter and playwright and author of works such as The Coast of Utopia, Arcadia, and Rock 'n' Roll. He is well known for his Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, and for writing Shakespeare in Love.
NEIL STRAUSS, AUTHOR OF 'THE GAME'
Tuesday 31st March, 1pm, The GMB
Next Tuesday at 1pm, Neil Strauss (who also goes by the pen names of Style and Chris Powels) will be speaking at The Phil. Strauss is an author, journalist and ghost writer, known for his best-selling book The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists. He also regularly writes for the New York Times and is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone Magazine.
In his acclaimed book, The Game, Strauss tells the tale of his two year transformation from AFC "average frustrated chump" into legendary pickup artist Style. The book made a month-long appearance in the New York Times bestsellers list and reached number 1 position on Amazon.com immediately after its release in the US.
THE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE
Thursday 5th March, 5:30pm, The GMB
The Phil is once again hosting a dramatization of the Trials of Oscar Wilde. The renowned poet, play write and novelist, a student of Trinity College Dublin and member of the University Philosophical Society, was known for his razor sharp wit, his flamboyant lifestyle and his defiance of conformity. As one of the most celebrated writers of his era, his most famous works include 'The Importance of being Earnest', 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and 'Lady Windermere's Fan'. The trials that occurred 113 years ago this month, led to Wilde's public disgrace and two year imprisonment for acts of "gross indecency."
Upon arrival, each member of the audience is treated as if they are the member of a jury. The performance will encourage audience interaction, evidence files will be provided, hecklers and cat callers are more than welcome.
Doors are at 5:30pm, the performance will begin at 6pm and will be followed by a themed reception. Entry is free. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.
CATHOLIC SEXUAL TEACHINGS
Thursday 12th February, 7:30pm, The GMB
Every year, it is traditional for the first years involved in the Society to run a debate. From arranging guests and publicity to receptions and minutes. Thus, they have choosen to focus their debate on the sexual teachings of the Catholic Church. Speaking at the debate will be Senator David Norris, Father Edmund Dunigan, Dr. Matlock (plastic surgeon) and our special guest chair will be Dervela Brown SC. We are particuarly proud of our hard working first years and encourage everyone to come along and take part.
As always, a reception will follow.
VALERY GISCARD D'ESTAING
Thursday 12th February, 7:30pm, The GMB
Former French President, Valery Giscard D'Estaing, will be made an Honorary Patron of the society during our Thursday night debate on the future of the EU. He will open the debate by reading a paper on his views on the topic. He notably presided over the Convention on the Future of the European Union that drafted the Lisbon Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. After him will be follow speeches by Caroline Simons of Libertas, Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin, James Wickham from the Department of Sociology and Barrister at Law, Gerard Hogan.
As ever, a reception will follow.
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