The Cogers Society is a free speech gathering, established in 1755 in the City of London. It is the oldest of its kind, as a debating club or otherwise, in the world. The name "Cogers" comes from Descartes' famous conclusion: "Cogito ergo sum". The Cogers follows the same philosophy, that thinking is what allows us to know we exist, and beyond that, expression connects us. Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. ... 1755 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about a small section of central London. ... Debate is a formalized system of (usually) logical argument. ... René Descartes René Descartes (IPA: , March 31, 1596 – February 11, 1650), also known as Cartesius, worked as a philosopher and mathematician. ... René Descartes (1596–1650) The Latin phrase cogito, ergo sum (traditionally translated as I think, therefore I am, but more accurately I am thinking, therefore I exist) is possibly the single best-known philosophical statement, and is attributed to René Descartes. ... The term philosophy derives from a combination of the Greek words philos meaning love and sophia meaning wisdom. ...

Members meet monthly at pubs in the centre and outside of London and begin the evening by having an impartial host rounding up the current affairs of the last month. Then all participants may take turns to have their own five minutes on the podium expressing their views as to what, what's not, and what not on any subjects they feel they would like to bring to the evening. It may be reactions to the previous speakers or their own topics.

The meetings are chaired by the "Grand", who maintains order and also regulates the timing of speeches. The meeting starts with an "Opener", who gives a 15 minute resumé, inviting topics for discussion.

At the end of the evening the traditional "Apple of Discord" is presented by the "Evaluator" to the best speaker of the evening to the speaker who throughout the evening brought the greatest contribution, whether that be thoughtful, entertaining, controversial or outstanding. Participants also have the opportunity to get tips from the evening's judge on what their strengths and potentials are. The Apple of Discord was a golden apple inscribed with the words, To the most Beautiful, thrown, by the Olympic goddess Eris, as revenge for not having been invited. ... A judge or justice is an appointed or elected official who presides over a court. ...

The Cogers believe that every truth can be arrived at with rational debate and invite everyone to participate. Rational may be: the adjective for the state of rationality acting according to the philosophical principles of rationalism a mathematical term for certain numbers; the rational numbers the software company Rational Software; now owned by IBM, and formerly Rational Software Corporation This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which...

Venues:

• Old Bank of England, Corner of Fleet Street and Chancery Lane, London
• The Plumbers Arms, Victoria, London
• The University of London Cogers Society (ULCS) - coming soon
• The Cogers Society