Philodemic Society
 |
|
| Motto |
Eloquentiam Libertati Devinctam (Latin for "Eloquence in Defense of Liberty") |
|---|---|
| Formation | September 25, 1830 |
| Type | Collegiate debate society Literary Society |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | Healy Hall |
| Location | |
|
Region served
|
Washington, D.C., United States |
|
Membership
|
90 |
|
President
|
Daniel Ernst |
| Website | http://philodemicsociety.org |
The Philodemic Society is a student debating organization and literary society at Georgetown University. It was founded in 1830 by Father James Ryder, S.J., in whose honor an award is given every Spring at the Merrick Debate. The Philodemic is among the oldest such societies in the United States, and is the oldest secular student organization at Georgetown. The society's motto, "Eloquentiam Libertati Devinctam" reminds its members that they are pursuing Eloquence in Defense of Liberty.
Debates are held weekly on Thursdays at 8pm in the Philodemic Room in Healy Hall. In recent years, the Philodemic has taken a more active role in engaging other prominent debating societies on the Eastern seaboard. The Philodemic maintains several intercollegiate friendships, most notably with the Demosthenian Literary Society of The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Philomathean Society of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In 1830, students under the leadership of Father James A. Ryder, S.J., later elevated to university president, founded the Philodemic Society. The only other student group at that time was a religious group, the Soldality of Our Lady. The society's first debate was on the topic of "Napoleon Bonaparte or General Washington: Which was the better man?" Though a secular society, the Philodemic often recognized Georgetown's Catholic traditions, and beginning in 1841, added an official commemoration of the Jesuit landing at St. Mary's City, Maryland to their calendar.
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