Given that roughly 50% of the population is female should our political institutions be required to have 50% female representation?
How do we know whether or not something exists if it only exists in theory?
Is torture ever permissible?
Does sport necessarily develop good character?
These are the questions that the best and brightest philosophers from Sixteen WA schools discussed at the 2009 Hale School Philosothon. In some cases the students have been thinking and preparing for these discussions since the beginning of the year.
The initial two topics were discussed in age specific groups and then students were mixed up into mixed age groups. Mr Mathew Wills Head of Philosophy, Values and Religion at Hale school and organiser said,” The depth and profundity of the discourse belied the age of the students participating and many adults came away asking how can a young person show such intellectual maturity?”
At the end of the evening some of the senior students from various schools participated in an exhibition “Community of Inquiry” on the main stage. They discussed “How can an all good and all powerful God allow suffering?” This exhibition discussion was an example of best practice for the more junior students and even some of the audience to aspire to.
Professor Stephan Millet presented the winning teams with their medals and the 2009 Hale Philosothon trophy went to Wesley College.
Hale School's Gifted and Talented Coordinator Leanne Rucks must also be commended on her enormous contribution to the organisation and running of the Philosothon and her preparation of the highly informative programme of events for the evening.
Matthew Wills was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to travel to the US at the end of the year to build on the event by bringing back some insights and networking with organisers of the US Ethics Bowl Competition. He will also be speaking about the Philosothon at an international Education Conference in Honolulu in January.
The Presentations to the winning school, Wesley College The "Community of Inquiry" on the main stage
Hale School Philosophers
L-R sitting: Jack Wells, Gabriel Fatin, Jex Fatin, Jonathan Van Buren, Arjun Kaushik
L-R standing: Shane Chandra, James Hendry, Robert Gillam