The Socratic Club - 27th April 2025
- Dr George Gross
- Apr 27
- 2 min read
Our first Socratic sessions back post the Easter break really impressed.
On skills we continued to work on persuasive language and how best to implement these rhetorical devices within a proposition or opposition argument.
Our newsround took in an array of topics including:
· Events in Kashmir
· The passing of Pope Francis, and funeral
· Politics in Peru
· Politics in South Korea
· New space discoveries
· The Canadian election and tragic news coming out of Vancouver
· The London Marathon
· The War in Ukraine
· Titanic memorabilia
· Earthquake in Turkey &
· The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen
Our warm-up question asked: 'what was the highlight of your holiday? & crucially why?'
Justification was key here.
Highlights took in:
Family time, Dubai, time with pets, Japan and cherry blossom, Kazakhstan, Easter Egg hunts, Egypt, the London Marathon, Barbados, Amsterdam, Golf, Thailand, surfing, Agatha Christie novels
Our set-piece debates focussed on the motions:
1. 'This House believes that the Blue Origin Space Mission with Katy Perry, was just a publicity stunt'
2. ‘This House would ban junk food in school’
3. Was Rory Mcllroy right to say following his Masters golf triumph, 'you should never give up on your dreams' or is that too ambitious and unrealistic?
4. 'This House would ban devices (iphones, ipads etc./computers) from bedrooms for children'
5. ‘Museums should be free at entry’
6. ‘Video games are better than board games’
In each case we coupled discussion with various rounds of voting, and in addition split into teams, with excellent proposition and opposition argumentation.
It was particularly impressive to see the nuance presented on both sides, with attempts to find middle ground, or a ‘moderate’ view to persuade those on the other side to reconsider their vote for a second telling.
Our unseen work took in the coronation of Charles II on 23 April 1661 – St George’s Day.
Well done all!
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