THINK table leads to think club

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A new club at Union High School is making people think.

The philosophy club members gather every two weeks to discuss numerous thought-provoking topics - from the metaphysical to the pragmatic - including, morality, perception, love, emotions and different views of reality.

The club was created by two Grade 12 learners, Max Wright and James Rose-Innes, who were inspired by a recent donation of a THINK Table to the school by Old Unionite, Adrian Arnott.

The THINK Table was commissioned by the Arnot family and created by South African sculptor Louis Olivier especially for the school.

Arnott gave the school this thought-provoking table last year in order to promote a culture of deep thinking at the school.

Now the idea has taken root with the establishment of a forum for free expression, where learners have fun while enjoying the freedom and space to explore a variety of stimulating ideas.

At its inaugural meeting on Tuesday 9 March, the club already boasted 14 members who delved right into the first topic up for discussion - a classic thought experiment known as the trolley dilemma, developed by philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967. The trolley dilemma paints a fictional scenario in which an onlooker has the choice to save five people in danger of being hit by a trolley, by diverting the trolley to kill just one person.

The term is often used more loosely with regard to any choice that seemingly has a trade-off between what is good and what sacrifices are acceptable, if at all.

The philosophical discussion that ensued generated a wealth of rich and meaningful conversations and allowed the learners to think through the consequences of an action and consider whether its moral value is determined solely by its outcome.

The brains behind the Union High Philosophy Club, Gr 12 learners, Max Wright and James Rose-Innes.