2004 School Magazine

Co-curriculum

121

ATH E N E >

P LosO Y

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ATH EN E >

PHILOSOPHY CAFE >

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>..- The At hene Club has had an extremely enjoyable and productive year discussing questions of philosophical, ethical and political interest that are raised in the papers presented by Year 12 students from both Brisbane Grammar School and Brisbane Girls Grammar School, as a stimulus to discussion. At hene represents one of the oldest combined Grammar Schools groups, providing an opportunity for an informed deliberation of ideas among the Seniors of both Schools. Expl rations of topics ranging from the

ethics of managing an overpopulated world to the problems associated with issues of social justice served to stimulate often passionate intellectual engagement and debate. Like the Greek goddess of wisdom Pallas At hene, who 15 our namesake and who is said to represent the thoughtful union of dualisms, the discussions this year have seen the productive and lively exploration of often quite opposition al points of view. The Athene Club Itself also successfully combines the intellectual with the social, with rewarding discussion invariably extending into supper students asked stimulating questions and made pointed observations about the role of photography in modern art and society in May, the erudite Dr GII Burgh from the University of Queensland Philosophy Department spoke on the topic of "Pumng the D back Into Democracy!" in particular he focused on the role of philosophy in schools and the need for students to develop deliberation skills Our next guest for the year was Dr Ken Smith from the Mathematics Department at University of Queensland who spoke about the philosopher GoedelS theorems about the completeness and consistency of mathematical systems After a mind- boggling display of mathematical wizardry by Dr Smith, the discussion digressed Into the nature of truth and reality and afforded a surprising Iy stimulating and thought- provoking evening. The speaker in August

The regular Athene meetings throughout the year have been thoroughly engaging, invigorating and enjoyable experiences. We thank Mr D Betts from Brisbane Grammar School and our own Dr R Colwill most sincerely for their continued support and thoughtful contributions to discussion, and we know that the young men and women at the Grammar schools will continue to be stimulated. as we have been. through membership of the Athene Club

Alex". 4.1dr". Mereer (126) Athene President 2004

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>-- The Philosophy Cafe is an informal symposium where all interested

was Dr Jillian Brannock, Head of the School of Cultural and Language Studies in Education at the Queensland University of Technology who spoke

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members of the School community, past and present, can engage in discussion of a range of topics and ideas. Each session begins with a presentation by a guest speaker on a philosophical or topical issue with discussion and questions from the floor following. Dr Maryro e Casey from the University of Queensland Drama Department presented at the first Cafe of the year with the topic "Drama and Philosophy The entertaining presentation took the form of a SOCratic Dialogue and provoked a lively debate among the staff, drama students and parents who were present. in Term 11, Dr Victoria Gainons-Williams from Creative Industries at the Queensland University of Technology discussed Photography and Truth" An audience composed of many art

to the topic of "Images of Women in Art and Uterature". The discourse ranged from images of women in the ancient world to the nineteenth century and proved to be both entertaining and intellectually exciting Philosophy Cafe continues to be supported by a loyal group of parents, staff and students who contribute meaningfulIy to each Cafe with their comments and insights The Philosophy Cafe is an initiative of the Principal, Ms Am anda Bell, with Brisbane Girls Grammar School being the first secondary school in Australia to institute its own Cafe

Mr D Pineo++ Coordinator