What is a Philosothon?
A Philosothon is concerned with big questions, questions at the edge of science and reason. Each school selects between 5-8 students to represent the school and together they explore philosophical and ethical issues orally. During the event they discuss four issues and the aim is to collectively come to a conclusion about the issue. The event differs from debating in that students are scored highly if they build on each others arguments. While some have a problem with the fact that this is a competition most educators recognise the healthy respect for the ideas of others which is fostered in a Philosothon. Students can change their mind during the course of the discussion.

(Click here for and article about the use of competition in Philosophy)

University based lecturers in Philosophy award points on the basis of students critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. At the end of the evening medallions and trophies are awarded to individual students and schools.



What is a Philosothon?


A Philosothon is concerned with big questions, questions at the edge of science and reason. Each school selects between 5-8 students to represent the school and together they explore philosophical and ethical issues orally. During the event they discuss four issues and the aim is to collectively come to a conclusion about the issue. The event differs from debating in that students are scored highly if they build on each others arguments. While some have a problem with the fact that this is a competition most educators recognise the healthy respect for the ideas of others which is fostered in a Philosothon. Students can change their mind during the course of the discussion.

(Click here for and article about the use of competition in Philosophy)

University based lecturers in Philosophy award points on the basis of students critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. At the end of the evening medallions and trophies are awarded to individual students and schools.



Why a Philosothon?



Philosothons promote critical thinking, creative thinking and collaboration skills. In a Philosothon students from different schools can agree or disagree with each other. The ultimate aim is for a group of 10-12 students to build a collective reasoned response to a complex ethical or philosophical issue or problem. There are often cross curricular links and students who might struggle with written expression find Philosothons a wonderful way to help them develop skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and creativity which are important life skills and an asset to any working environment.



A Brief History




In 2007 Hale School in Perth Western Australia embarked on a bold new project to promote higher order thinking among secondary school students. Since then each year the event has grown with many hundreds of schools around Australasia and the UK now involved. In 2011 the first Australasian Philosothon took place at Cranbrook school in Sydney New South Wales. In 2012 the first Primary School Philosothon was held at the National Art Gallery in Victoria. In 2017 we were awarded a small grant from the Templeton Foundation to build and strengthen Philosothons throughout Australasia.