Paul Castles

Wes Siscoe is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University. With a passion for making philosophy accessible, Wes founded the Philosophy Teaching Library as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Notre Dame.  I grew up the son of a Baptist preacher. We lived right next door to the church. As a little boy, … My Dad Was a Baptist Preacher – I’m a Philosophy Professor

Karen S. Emmerman is PLATO’s Education Director. Thinking philosophically requires, among other things, developing a set of philosophical skills. Doing philosophy in elementary schools (students between 5 and 11 years old) for over a decade has drawn my attention to just how important it is to help young people build these skills. For the youngest … Monster at School

Justin Lader is Assistant Professor and Director of Music Education at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Aside from advocating for philosophy in music education, he researches how musicians form motor memories. Seven years ago, I began experimenting with philosophy for young people in the music classroom. Over these years, I have worked to incorporate … Philosophy in the Music Classroom: The Interplay of Notes and Ideas

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