A super set of Junior and Senior Socratic Club sessions.
We began by focussing on our key skills for the week:
Objectivity and working on beginning a debate with a strong opening statement.
We also, with thanks to our Senior Fellow Andrew Kopkin (and specialist in advocacy) looked at Aristotelian rhetoric: Ethos, Pathos and Logic, and how best to incorporate these into our debates, arguments and discussions.
Well done all for listening and taking onboard so impressively.
We followed this with a set of interview style & philosophical questions:
'if you could take up a new subject, what would it be and why?'
Answers included:
Languages, such as Spanish, Latin, Japanese & Arabic
Logic/Reasoning
Economics and Business Studies
Cooking/Baking
Engineering
Philosophy
Drama
Sporting opportunity (greater mix)
Politics
Debating in School
We also asked: 'Does poetry still matter, does it remain relevant?' (on the back of various discussions to change the English curriculum and the study of Shakespeare)
The Junior group voted unanimously in favour at both tellings.
We also had the Junior group attempt to 'describe a computer to a Victorian' - working on varied vocabulary. Top marks to those that used the typewriter as an entry point.
Our newsround took in:
The Assisted Dying Bill
Twitter Ban
Donald Trump's cabinet
Knife Crime/Zombie knives ban
Supermoon
Remembrance Day
Our debates centred on:
Motion/Question (i) Armistice Day / Remembrance Day - 'Should we continue to remember?'
The group felt that it was not just WWI we remembered but also other recent conflicts, and the 'service' and 'sacrifice' of those that have fought for our freedoms should be respected and in turn remembered. The word 'hero' featured prominently. In the senior group, the idea of learning from the past was mentioned on several occasions - and trying to avoid the horrors of war wherever possible.
We also discussed 'whether smart phones made us less smart'. The group remained concerned about phones and technology for children - with many saying that they made for distractions, whilst others also pointed to the wider benefits of i-pads for documentary and for example ATOM learning. In both groups voting went against smart phones.
'Should museums or tourist locations (as with Pompeii) limit the number of visitors?'
Here the Junior group split 60% in favour, but 40% on 'it depends', given location, venue and prominence etc.
We concluded with an unseen, involving Elon Musk:
with the question, 'Should Elon Musk be allowed to work in the US Government?' (given his unelected position)
The Junior group voted against by 67% at the second telling. The senior group by 83%. Many were concerned as to conflict of interest and his lack of political experience in government. Those in favour thought it was refreshing to see such an influential businessman involved.
Well done all on such thoughtful points and carefully worded arguments, many adopting Aristotelian rhetoric.
We will be working on structure and list format in the coming weeks, to add signposting to the speeches being made.
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