Paul Castles

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

Roberta Israeloff, PLATO’s co-founder and Board secretary, directs the Squire Family Foundation.  Her most recent book, What Went Right:  Lessons from Both Sides of the Teacher’s Desk was co-wriitten with George McDermott, her 10th grade English teacher.      Like a River We like to walk, my granddaughter and I.  We walk down the block, … Like a River

Meet Winston C. Thompson: William H. and Laceryjette V. Casto Professorship in Interprofessional Education; Associate Professor, Educational Studies; Associate Professor, Philosophy (by courtesy); Co-director, Center for Ethics and Human Values, Ohio State University. The Saturday plenary session at the upcoming PLATO Conference will open with a panel discussion: “Embracing Difficult Conversations: The Intersection of Ethics … Delicate Dancing:  Creating a Shared Language