No doubts about Dubya

The topic of George Bush's ethics proved compelling enough to ensure a full house at last week's Times Higher -sponsored discussion at the National Portrait Gallery in London. In a debate so civilised that chair Laurie Taylor dubbed it more of a conversazione, Peter Singer, professor of bioethics at Princeton University, charged that the president's beliefs were self-serving and ultimately damaging. John Gray, professor of European thought at the London School of Economics, agreed with much of that but countered that there was arguably more evidence of true conviction swaying the present occupant of No. 10 than the man in charge at the White House. Norman Rosenthal and Donald Kuspit will debate 'Embalm a modern artist and give beauty a chance', the last in the current Controversial Thesis series, on June 17 at 7pm. Call 020 7306 0055 ext. 216 to book tickets