Intelligence Squared - The sixties weren't the beginning of sex but the end of civilisation

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The sixties weren't the beginning of sex but the end of civilisation

21 Jun 2005

The panel, under chair Joan Bakewell, debate the motion: The sixties weren’t the beginning of sex, but the end of civilisation.

Arguing in favour of the motion are Professor Laurie Taylor, Leonie Frieda, and Howard Jacobson.

Laurie Taylor begins by arguing that whilst people in the sixties thought that sex was a natural, original source of the ‘pure self’. However, it was the the realisation that ‘sex sells’ that really resulted in a liberation of sexual attitudes.

Leonie Frieda makes a ‘plea for sexual subtlety’. She acknowledges the social problems of the fifties, such as the treatment of homosexuals and backyard abortions, but points out that reform was coming, and that to call the changes of the sixties ‘civilised’ is nonsensical.

Howard Jacobson, in a humorous speech, details the structure of a pre-sixties relationship, declaring that, whilst couples weren’t happy, the rest of civilisation was nevertheless created whilst working under these sexual mores.

Arguing against the motion are Rosie Boycott, Christopher Booker and Claire Fox.

Rosie Boycott argues that the sixties took sex from a private act into one that can be publicly celebrated, whilst also bringing about the meritocracy, women’s rights, gay rights, civil rights and the belief that we are all equal.

Christopher Booker argues that changing sexual mores actually began in the 1950s with the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll, and that to say the breakdown of civilisation occurred in the ‘60s is ignoring history.

Claire Fox notes that if civilisation means an advanced state of social development, then the sixties were a huge step forward for mankind. She believes that the left’s mantra is ‘better safe than sorry’, while the motto of the sixties was ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’.

First Vote: 186 For, 293 Against, 229 Don’t Know

Final vote: 319 For, 333 Against, 86 Don’t Know

The motion is defeated by 14 votes.

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Dame Joan Bakewell

Journalist and broadcaster
Professor Laurie Taylor

Sociologist and broadcaster
Rosie Boycott

British journalist, feminist. Chair of London Food
Leonie Frieda

Historian and biographer
Christopher Booker

Journalist and author
Howard Jacobson

Writer and broadcaster
Claire Fox

Director, Institute of Ideas

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The sixties weren't the beginning of sex but the end of civilisation

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