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John Locke•17th century Oxford philosopher"•Grandfather of Classical Liberalism "•Philosopher, political scientist, economist and medical doctor"•Locke’s philosophy of education:"•“A teacher should remember that his business is not so much to teach all that is knowable, as to raise in [the student] a love and esteem of knowledge; and to put him in the right way of knowing and improving himself”
John Locke Institute Essay Competition•Invited students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the confines of the school curriculum"•Encourages independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis, and persuasive style"•7 subject categories"•Philosophy"•Politics"•Economics"•History "•Psychology"•Theology"•Law"!!
PhilosophyQ1. Do we have any good reason to trust our moral intuition?"Q2. Do girls have a (moral) right to compere in sporting contests that exclude boys?"Q3. Should I be held responsible for what I believe?
PoliticsQ1. Is there such a thing as too much democracy?"Q2. Is peace in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip possible?"Q3. When is compliance complicity?
EconomicsQ1. What is the optimal global population?"Q2. Accurate news reporting is a public good. Does it follow that news agencies should be funded from taxation?"Q3. Do successful business people benefit others when making their money, when spending it, both, or neither?
HistoryQ1.Why was sustained economic growth so rare before the later 18th century and why did this change?"Q2. Has music ever significantly change the course of history?"Q3. Why do civilizations collapse? Is our civilization in danger?
LawQ1. When, if ever, should a company be permitted to refuse to do business with a person because of that person’s public statements?"Q2. In the last five years British police have arrested several thousand people for things they posted on social media. Is the UK becoming a police state?"Q3. Your parents sat that 11pm is your bedtime. But they don’t punish you if you don’t go to bed by 11pm. Is 11pm really your bedtime?
PsychologyQ1. According to a study by researchers at four British universities, for each 15-point increase in IQ, the likelihood of getting married increases by around 35% for a man but decreases by around 50% for a woman. Why? Q2. There is an unprecedented epidemic of depression and anxiety among young people. Can we fix this? How?# Q3. What is the difference between a psychiatric illness and a character flaw?
TheologyQ1. “I am not religious, but I am spiritual.” What could the speaker mean by “spiritual”? Q2. Is it reasonable to thank God for protection from some natural harm if He is responsible for causing the harm? Q3. Does God reward those who believe in him? If so, why?
Why Should I Enter?•Gain experience writing for an internationally renown contest"•Refine and develop independent thought and reasoning"•Practice critical and analytical thinking skills "• Engage in the scholarly enterprise of researching, reflecting on, and writing about an answer to important and provocative questions in this year’s Global Essay Prize"•Deepen your love for and understanding of logical thinking and learning
Deadline for 2024•Sunday, June 30th, 2024"•Extended deadline: Wednesday, July 10th, 2024
“Were matters order’d right, learning… might be made as much a recreation to their play, as their play is to their learning.”