Philodemic Society

The Philodemic Society is a student debating society at Georgetown University founded in 1830 by Father James Ryder, S.J. 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 8 p.m. 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, the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society at the University of Virginia.