In December, Judde House claimed a hard-fought victory over Welldon House in the Senior House Debating Final, marking their first win in the competition since 1991. The motion, "This House regrets the human desire to leave behind a legacy," sparked a wide-ranging and thought-provoking debate, drawing on philosophical, historical, and economic perspectives.
The competition, running throughout the Michaelmas Term, brought together 36 boys from the Third Year to Upper Sixth, with one Second Year stepping up as well. Teams debated a range of challenging motions, including whether politicians should earn the median wage, whether the concept of soulmates benefits society, and whether sports clubs should be majority-owned by fans.
The final was chaired by Head of School Ethan and judged by Luke Masters, Master in Charge of Debating; Headmaster James Priory; and Classics teacher Samuel Ginns.
Judde House, proposing the motion, brought forward a compelling case that combined philosophical theories, historical examples, and economic arguments. Drawing on the works of Aristotle, Hobbes, and Sidgwick, the team explored the complexities of human desire for legacy through lenses of virtue ethics, social contracts, and ethical egoism. They also highlighted the impact of vanity projects like the Three Gorges Dam and space exploration, as well as the allocation of resources away from those who need them most.
Welldon House countered with excellent arguments focused on the importance of legacy in shaping society, but despite their strong performance, Judde House ultimately swayed the panel of judges.
Headmaster, James Priory said: “The House debating competitions are a brilliant way for the boys to develop their skills as speakers, whether on the podium or from the floor. I am always impressed by the quality of thinking and the energy with which the boys present their arguments. This was certainly a debate worthy of a final."