Shaurya (Year 12) Editor's note: Year 12 student Shaurya entered this essay into the John Locke Global Essay Prize 2025 in the Economics category. He addresses the questions: What kinds of behaviour are engendered by the hope of profit? Is such behaviour better or worse, on balance, than the behaviour we should expect if all … Continue reading What kinds of behaviour are engendered by the hope of profit?
Tanisi (Year 9) Editor's note: Talented Year 9 student Tanisi submitted this interesting essay to the annual John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize in the Junior category. This essay explores the benefits of free speech from two philosophical perspectives, focusing on the roles of both listener and speaker in individual growth and societal interaction. CPD … Continue reading Do you benefit more from your own freedom of speech, or other people’s?
Paarshva (Year 12) Editor's note: Year 12 student Paarshva wrote this essay for entry into the annual John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize. Paarshva explores the debate between the political wisdom of the 'lettered'—those with formal education and theoretical knowledge—and the 'unlettered'—those with experiential, practical knowledge. It examines whether the collective judgment of the unlettered … Continue reading David Hume celebrated the wisdom of “unlettered men”. In a democracy, do the votes of unlettered men tend to protect a country against the bad ideas of the lettered or do the votes of the lettered tend to protect a country against the bad ideas of unlettered men?
Lochan (Year 9) Editor's note: Lochan, now in Year 10, wrote this essay during their time in Year 9. It was submitted into the annual Perse School Aristotelian Essay Prize. Nuclear fusion is a promising energy source with potential to provide unlimited, low-carbon, and clean energy, but significant challenges hinder its immediate viability as a … Continue reading To what extent can we regard nuclear fusion as the solution to the world’s energy crisis?
Nayonika (Year 12) Editor's note: Nayonika, now in Year 13, wrote this thought-provoking essay and submitted it to the annual Northeastern University London Essay Competition. CPD The “gig economy” refers to the idea of firms hiring freelancers and temporary workers rather than permanent employees. The gig economy currently is expanding at an exponential rate revolutionising … Continue reading Does expanding the gig economy contribute positively to sustainable economic growth?
Eve (Year 12) Editor's note: Eve wrote this fascinating and well-written article during her time in Year 12 at GSAL. This essay, written for the spoken mode, was entered into the annual MASSOLIT Video Essay Competition. CPD Our language, like so many others, evolved through ages where the patriarchy dominated, resulting in English, which is … Continue reading Inherent Sexism in the English Language
Hannah (Year 12) Editor's note: Hannah wrote this essay during her time in Year 12 at GSAL. It was entered into the annual Minds Underground Essay Competition. Hannah is now studying Geography at the University of Durham. CPD Dambisa Moyo argues in her book ‘Dead Aid’ (Moyo, 2010), that foreign aid has failed to promote … Continue reading ‘Millions in Africa are poorer today because of aid; misery and poverty have not ended but increased’ (DAMBISA MOYO). What do you think?
Raina (Year 12) Editor's note: During her time in Year 12, Raina successfully submitted this essay to the annual Northeastern University Humanities Essay Competition. Although she didn't go on and win the competition, Raina was shortlisted as a finalist. CPD Historically, the law has been perpetually undeserving to be followed. Never wholly, but a small … Continue reading Must the law always be obeyed?
Zaina (Year 12) Editor's note: Zaina wrote this essay during her time in Year 12, successfully submitting it to the Lincoln University Philosophy Essay Competition. As the judges noted, "I am delighted to announce that your paper has won second prize. Congratulations! There were more than 50 excellent submissions from 9 countries and you should … Continue reading Is it morally acceptable to own pets?
Diva (Year 9 ) Editor's note: Year 9 student Diva, now in Year 11, submitted this essay to the annual Perse School Aristotelian Award essay competition. As the judges noted, "[We are] delighted to announce that Diva [was] shortlisted for the Arts/Humanities category for the Y9 Aristotelian Award competition we have run this academic year. … Continue reading In your view, what is the most influential written document and why?
The GSAL Journal 