Nimble Minds - Socratic Club Debating session - 20th May 2025

It was great to work with the Nimble Minds group today with an introduction to the world of debating.

Along with working on argumentation we discussed presentation skills and the different sides to a debate from proposition to opposition.

We also discussed using philosophical topics the need for nuance and a middle ground. For instance, we explored the question: 'is it more important to be right or more important to be kind?' 

Following a warm-up looking at favourite colours and asking for justification, we moved into three set-piece debates interspersed with word games.

The motions:

'This House would have robot cars';

'This House would ban zoos'; &

'This House would not have a school uniform'.

In each debate we voted before and after (with the second tellings often revealing a different outcome to the first vote) and each student had the opportunity to present their argument or arguments.

Well done all for such enthusiastic and impressive contributions!