A review of the book A Sneetch is a Sneetch by Thomas Wartenberg. The book provides insight to deeper philosophical questions through the critical reading of children’s stories. The review provokes philosophy teachers to implicate this book and its methods into young-adult philosophical studies.

Technological advance like Google Glass are innovative, yet isolating. Though features of such a new technology can help shape and make lives easier, they disconnect our natural human behaviors. The immediacy of technology may cause us to lose our abilities to be patient, rationalize, and allow for error, which are all natural and important parts of building personality and psyche development.

Third place PLATO contest winner James Drueckhammer argues for the existence of libertarian free will by way of describing and dissecting Aristotle’s theory of the agent-causal theory against its most popular refutation. In the end to the author gives libertarian free will prominence and life.

The author examines one of the most important questions in philosophy as she is asked “What is an identity?” and “What is the self?” She analyzes and debunks this question through a dialect between her and multiple “philosophers”.

A questioning of the proficiency of the American education system judged by preparedness of students for further education written by a junior in an American High School. He hypothesizes that knowledge of ethics can produce preparedness and is missing from American education system and needs to be utilized.

In this PLATO winning essay, Jared Corbet discusses the strength of the hard determinism argument against the notion of free will through historical lenses and comparisons to alternative theories such as libertarianism and compatibilism. Corbet in the end finds hard determinism to be the most logical explanation.

Examines a conflict found in the writings of Aristotle and Machiavelli considering steps towards a life of virtue and prominence. Aristotle puts value on happiness and welfare en route to a good life whereas Machiavelli is focused on the ability to use both good and bad action to control a situation. The author concludes balance of these qualities, a virtuous mean, is the most beneficial option, a notion that Machiavelli not directly but philosophically challenges.

In this runner-up PLATO contest essay, Sydney To proposes that humans have free will due to human’s unique ability of self-ownership. As long as we are not inappropriately influenced, we can choose, progress, or influence ourselves appropriately. She cites our ability of self-control and self-revision as a representation of free will, which is a sufficient amount to make life meaningful.

Small-group discussion and documentation between three students that explains their opinion on “what is a right” and the foundation and process of their thinking.

A student written poem, alongside responses from 2nd and 6th graders on the poem's philosophy.

The author's conversation with his daughter, Maya, on Philosophy and rights.

Lone conducted weekly philosophical discussions for first and second graders on human rights and how to be treated in society. With “The right to be treated equally” as a nearly unanimous response, Lone records these reactions in a formatted list.

In retrospect to “A Bill of Human Rights”, Shapiro initiated a lecture to 6th graders about animal rights, only to execute a mature view on universal human rights and what is ethical for modern society through a child’s perspective.

In the pursuit of a quality and well-rounded education with philosophy, Shapiro conducts an introductory lesson to students and teachers alike in order to develop deeper, more philosophical questions from their students. Academically, the article expands detail on tutoring in philosophy, analytical practices, and metaphysical activities.