Participate in the Think Essay Prize by Royal Institute of Philosophy and get published. Submit by April 22, 2025!
About the Prize
The Royal Institute of Philosophy invites young thinkers aged 15-18 from around the globe to participate in this year’s essay competition for Think, its accessible yet intellectually stimulating journal.
The winning essay will be published alongside articles from leading philosophers, offering an incredible opportunity to engage with a worldwide audience. Shortlisted candidates will also enjoy a year’s free subscription to Think, with additional prizes awarded to longlisted participants.
Essay Topics
Choose one of the following intriguing philosophical questions to address:
- 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 that 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 toward 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?
If you are studying philosophy, consider focusing on questions 1, 2, or 3. However, all participants are welcome to explore any of the six topics.
Submission Guidelines
- Deadline: Midnight, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Eligibility: Open to individuals aged 15-18, of any nationality, living anywhere in the world.
- Word Count: Essays must not exceed 1,200 words.
- Format: Essays must be in English, double-spaced, using Calibri or similar 12-point font. Use single line breaks and avoid paragraph indentations. Notes and references are not required. If referring to an article or book, simply mention the author and title in the main text.
- Originality: Essays must be original works written in a non-academic style, similar to articles found on Aeon.
- File Naming: Title your Word document with your surname followed by your first name (e.g., “Smith_John.doc”).
Why Enter?
This competition is a chance to engage with timeless philosophical debates and showcase your ideas to a global audience. Winning essays are celebrated not only with publication but also with recognition from the prestigious Royal Institute of Philosophy.
How to Submit?
Email your Word document to thinkessay@royalinstitutephilosophy.org.
Deadline
The deadline for submission is April 22, 2025
Contact
For inquiries, contact ThinkEssay@royalinstitutephilosophy.org.
