Wondering Aloud

Jana Mohr Lone is PLATO’s Executive Director. Many children wonder about death, and many adults find it difficult to respond to their questions and fears. In the United States, we don’t discuss death very much. The subject tends to be uncomfortable and anxiety-producing for people, and the experience of losing a loved one is often … Death is Stupid

Amna, a high school graduate from a small city in Pakistan, describes herself as “a certified misfit who never really fit into the system.” She loves watching documentaries and having deep, random conversations about life, exploring the “whys” behind everything.    I didn’t always think about purpose. For most of my school years, life was … Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Purpose

Sid is a PLATO Student Advisory Council member. He lives in Illinois and is a homeschooled senior planning to major in philosophy. When I disclose my interest in philosophy, I’ve often been asked “Why are you studying philosophy?” or “What benefits and applications does philosophy have?”  Answering these questions might provide insight to why anybody … My Love for Philosophy

Aanya Padhi is a sophomore at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California. She is interested in applied ethics and political philosophy and is active in advocacy work to overturn wrongful convictions and address prosecutorial misconduct.  Last year, as a high school freshman, I signed up for an Introduction to Philosophy class at my local … Studying Thinking Itself: What I Learned at Fifteen in a College Philosophy Class

Ellen T. Sirower, a doctoral student in piano performance at the University of Texas at Austin and a PLATO Philosopher in Residence, maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule while writing her dissertation on teaching musical interpretation of post-tonal piano repertoire.  It is no secret to the PLATO community that children are natural philosophers. They often hold … Musical Philosophers: The Power of Integrating Philosophy of Music into an Elementary School Music Curriculum

A panel discussion highlighting PLATO’s 7th Biennial Conference at Tufts University (June 2025) convened five philosophers and educators.  Their exchange focused on how we talk to each other about issues that divide us, both in and outside of the classroom.  One overarching theme emerged: to engage in productive, meaningful conversations, conversations that broaden perspectives and … Embracing Difficult Conversations:  The Intersection of Ethics and Civics Education

Shoshana McIntosh is a philosophy PhD student and teaching fellow at the University of North Texas and a PLATO Fellow. Can trees make decisions? Why do people litter if they know it harms the environment? Are we responsible for making sure wild animals have enough space? Why do we think vultures are scary? What should … Seeing Vultures, Smelling Sage, and Touching Pinecones: Environmental Philosophy in Elementary School

Mary Lee is a junior at Skyline High School in Sammamish, WA. My name is Mary Lee, and I’m a junior at Skyline High School in Sammanish, WA. In March 2025, I was on a team that competed in the Washington State Ethics Open, a variation of the state Ethics Bowl, hosted by PLATO. Sophia … New to Ethics Bowl

Dr. Peter Levine is professor of philosophy and political science, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Tufts University’s Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life.    Peter will join us at the PLATO conference as a member of the Saturday morning (June 28th) plenary panel.  … Advocacy and Civic Renewal

Scott MacLeod, a retired public high school teacher and Ethics Bowl coach, currently serves on the board of PLATO.  Decades after taking his first philosophy course, he still wonders about the nature of reality and whether Rod Serling was right after all. When I was a teenager, I fell in love with the Twilight Zone, … Uncertainty, Open Minds, and the Twilight Zone