Intensive Course
Philosophy 11
Overview:
Imagine a summer filled with deep reasoning and problem-solving. Whether you’re a budding
philosopher or someone who loves to think outside the box, J&B’s Philosophy Summer
Intensive offers an enriching experience designed for students passionate about philosophy.
Our target group for this program are students preparing for the International Philosophy
Olympiad (https://www.philosophy-olympiad.org). We teach the essentials of philosophical thinking and essay crafting through
personalized guidance.
Becoming a philosopher with J&B involves questioning the "facts" around you, discovering
personal truths, and re-envisioning your world. By the end of the summer, you will be ready
to apply your philosophical insights to various aspects of your life. Whether you aim to
compete in the International Philosophy Olympiad, pursue philosophy academically, or
enhance your essay writing skills, J&B’s Philosophy Summer Intensive will be your gateway to
seeing the world with newfound clarity, much like Aldous Huxley’s “doors of perception,”
revealing the infinite nature of reality.
Detailed Session Plan:
Session #1
What is Philosophy? Define it!
Session #2
Learn the Socratic Method
Session #3
What are ethics?
Share your personal code of ethics
Session #4
In-class debate: ethical dilemmas!
Session #5
What is a philosophical argument? Define it!
Session #6
Learn different types of reasoning
(inductive versus deductive)
Session #7
Learn how to support your arguments
using evidence
Session #8
In-class writing task:
present/defend a philosophical argument!
Session #9
Read/discuss Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”
Session #10
Read/discuss Kant’s “Categorial Imperative” and contrast with Jeremy Bentham’s theory of utilitarianism
Session #11
Read/discuss Sartre’s Existentialism is Humanism
Session #12
In-class debate: pretend to be your favorite famous philosopher