Florence (Year 13) Editor's note: Year 13 student Florence, applying to study Law at university, wrote this insightful piece exploring the extent to which law should intervene in personal autonomy. Florence carefully concludes that whether or not the law should intervene is a complex issue that is largely based on the individual case - there … Continue reading To what extent should law intervene in personal autonomy?
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?
Fahim (Year 10) Editor's note: Fahim, now in Year 11, wrote this engaging piece whilst in Year 10. William Basson, a young man from a successful family, struggled with traditional education and his father’s expectations, finding solace instead in philosophy and abstract thought. Despite academic challenges and a serious illness, he resolved to take full … Continue reading Change: Embracing oneself and taking full responsibility
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?
Vishnu V - Year 12 Student Editor's Note: Year 12 Student Vishnu V considers a big, moral question through multiple different theories. A well researched piece on a discussion that holds a multitude of viewpoints. Vishnu has entered this into the NCH Undergraduate Essay Competition. EB For an action to be morally correct, it must … Continue reading Can it Ever Be Morally Acceptable to Sacrifice an Innocent Person for the Greater Good?
Rahul - Year 12 Student Editor’s note: Year 12 student Rahul writes here in response to the fascinating philosophy question set for the New College of the Humanities essay competition, 2021. 'Should robots have rights?' - what do you think? CPD “Man is a robot with defects.” 1 Emil Cioran (The Trouble With Being Born) From behind pristine … Continue reading Should robots have rights?
Francesca - Year 11 Student Editor's Note: Talented student Francesca, now in Year 12, writes here about two prominent 18th century philosophers, namely Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and Jean-Jaques Rousseau (1712-1778). Whilst both men were influential thinkers during the Age of Enlightenment, the 'intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during … Continue reading According to Kant, is Rousseau a figure of the Enlightenment?
Michal - Year 12 Student Editor’s Note: Year 12 student Michal writes here for the GSAL Science Magazine on the fascinating topic of robot rights. As Michal notes, "[a]rtificial intelligence raises serious questions about philosophical boundaries. While we may ask if sentient robots are conscious or deserving of rights, it forces us to pose basic questions like ‘What … Continue reading Robot Rights – an impossibility or an inevitability?
Kate - Year 12 Student Editor's Note: Talented Year 12 student Kate has written this insightful essay in response to the Robert Walker Prize for Essays in Law competition, organised by Trinity College, Cambridge. Launched in 2013, the Robert Walker Prize has three objectives: to encourage students with an interest in Law to explore that … Continue reading Should legal disputes be determined by artificial, rather than human, means?
Mr Yates - Head of Academic Extension & Oxbridge All students in Y7-Y9 are invited to attempt any one of the three questions below. Answers must not be more than 1,200 words (including any footnotes but excluding bibliographies). Answers should be submitted as Word attachments by email to sy@gsal.org.uk by no later than 4.00pm on … Continue reading Year 7-9 Essay Competition 2020
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