On the 30th of January, ten students from various years at Taunton School participated in the annual Philosothon.

The Philosothon combines elements of debating and philosophy, where a group of ten individuals sit in a circle with a designated stimulus and engage in discussions about their opinions and perspectives.

Earlier in the year, the inaugural Philosothon took place and was won by Jenkin. Following last year’s victory at Kings College, our goal was to secure another first-place finish this year at Exeter. The competition proved challenging, with double the number of participating schools and more demanding theoretical questions than in previous years. Taunton School achieved a commendable 3rd place, while Kings secured the top spot.

The topics under discussion ranged from theological and theoretical to those centred around current global issues. For instance, one section delved into the fundamental concept of tolerance. The conversation touched upon a significant event in 2016 when a Nazi sympathizer was punched during an interview. This incident prompted a reflection on whether, as a society, we should prioritize freedom of speech over freedom from harm. Despite our encouragement as a school community to express our opinions, the philosothon underscored the importance of considering the potential consequences of our words.

Censorship emerged as a prominent theme during the discussions, exploring the balance between safeguarding young minds from harmful views and preserving our fundamental right to freedom of speech. With World Freedom Day recently observed, it becomes imperative for us to remain educated and vigilant about the various negative effects associated with beliefs such as Nazism.

In conclusion, the Philosothon not only provided a platform for intellectual discourse but also compelled us to reflect on the nuanced intersection of freedom of speech, tolerance, and societal responsibilities.

Thank you to the following students for their involvement in this years inter-school philosothon competition!

Fliss Hallsworth
Jack Butler
Haley Moss
Rosie Seddon
Kat McAllister
Emily Vernon
Zachary Roberts
Daisy Greenhalgh
Sam Webber
Chloe Dedicoat

Written by Daisy Greenhalgh, Year 10.

Picture Credits: Freepik 2024 https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/memory-concept-with-sculpture-paper_23994004.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=11&uuid=0dca0980-ee4a-4fe5-8693-c2648a0fcccc