Introduction to the Think Essay Prize Competition
The Royal Institute of Philosophy has announced the prompts for their annual Think Essay Prize, inviting high school students aged 15 to 18 to engage with profound philosophical questions. This competition offers young thinkers a platform to explore complex ideas and showcase their analytical skills.
Essay Prompts for 2025:
Participants are asked to submit essays of no more than 1,200 words on one of the following topics:
Plato suggests we are trapped in a world of shadows and only philosophical reflection can provide knowledge. Is there any truth to this view?
Does the existence of evil provide good evidence God does not exist?
Do 'objective values' exist?
Could a person migrate from one human body to another, as some movies suggest (e.g., Freaky Friday)
What ethical responsibilities do we have towards future generations (e.g., creating a cleaner environment, reducing pollution)? If you believe we don't have these responsibilities, explain why.
Do we have freedom of speech? Should we?
Submission Guidelines:
Essays must be original works, written in English, and should not exceed 1,200 words.
Submissions should avoid notes and references; if mentioning an article or book, include the author's name and title within the main text.
The deadline for submissions is midnight on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Detailed submission guidelines and the entry form are available on the Royal Institute of Philosophy's website.
Benefits of Participation:
The Think Essay Prize is a prestigious competition that encourages critical thinking and philosophical inquiry among high school students. The winner's essay will be published in an upcoming issue of Think, providing recognition and exposure. Shortlisted candidates will receive a year's free subscription to the journal, and additional prizes will be awarded to those who make the longlist.
Engaging in this competition not only enhances one's philosophical understanding but also demonstrates a commitment to intellectual exploration—a quality highly regarded by university admissions committees. It is an extracurricular that will move the needle of admissions officers in the right direction.
In the following days, we will be posting guide to addressing these prompts on our blog, so stay tuned!
If you want help winning this competition, schedule a complimentary consultation with an expert philosophy essay writing coach today.
