A Socratic Society discussion, held on 10 April at Pulp Cinema, encouraged the attendance of a large crowd with a controversial topic called “The Roast of Jordan Peterson”. Dr Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. He is a well-known public intellectual, the author of “12 Rules for Life”, and often deemed a controversial figure in the public eye.
Ivan Bock, Nina Pschorn, and Fabio Tollon responding to questions and mediating the audience members’ discussion. PHOTO: Liezl Human
The audience members were given a chance to ask questions and debate one another’s ideas. Their opinions were split between those who supported Peterson and those who insisted on not giving him a platform to speak.
The event encouraged, in the spirit of Socrates, a healthy and heated discussion between the audience members and the speakers. The variety of observations that emerged from the audience made it difficult to determine, by the end of the discussion, whether Peterson had indeed been “roasted”.
Fabio Tollon listening to the opening presentations. PHOTO: Liezl Human
An hour long presentation was delivered by Fabio Tollon, Ivan Bock, and Nina Pschorn, respectively. Thereafter, the audience was given a chance to raise a question to which others in the audience had a chance to respond.
Although the theme of the event was described as a “roast”, the aim of the discussion was to encourage critical thinking and constructive discourse.
Tollon, a Masters student in Philosophy and the president of the society, says: “What we try to do is strike a balance between a [very academic] type of setting and a more public setting – and it is hard. It’s difficult to toe that line, but I think people will leave here knowing more than they did when they came here.”
“Philosophy is less a body of knowledge and more a method that we apply. And that’s what we’re going for here; it’s to give people those tools.”
Ivan Bock and Nina Pschorn responding to questions from the audience. PHOTO: Liezl Human
Tollon further mentions that Socratic Society events are open to the public, yet only philosophy students can join the organising committee. The society was only kick-started again last year, despite constant funding from the Philosophy Department.
Tollon explains: “Each philosophy student automatically gets a certain fee deducted from their student fees. It’s a minimal fee, and it goes to having this society and having it function. But for many years, until last year, no one took the initiative. So this fund was accumulating but no one was doing anything about it. Last year we decided, well, we should probably do something about this.”
Ivan Bock and Phila Msimang chatting during the break. PHOTO: Liezl Human
The Socratic Society therefore “functions as an extension of the Philosophy Department”.
After the event, Miecke Kruger, an audience member and an Honours student in Philosophy, mentions that heated debate is often necessary to bring about change.
“Discourse where people become involved and where they feel the need to address something – that is when constructive change can actually happen. But without feeling passionate enough about something to want to change it, or to want to contribute to it – it’s not going to lead anywhere. I think having strong opposing sides is always good because people will work hard on their arguments.”
The society is planning on hosting two more events during the year, with the next one planned for the second semester.