PLATO is offering online philosophy classes for high school students each quarter in the 2024-25 school year.

Class Topics: 
Fall 2024: Existentialism and Free Will
Winter 2025: The Music We Love and Why 
Spring 2025: We Live in A Society

Each class will meet weekly for six weeks on Zoom. We welcome students from around the world.

At the end of the class, students who have completed the class will be provided with Certificates of Achievement.

Instructor: Dr. Jordan Sherry-Wagner will be teaching all of the 2024-25 online high school classes. Jordan is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington who became involved in K-12 philosophy education as a Graduate Student Fellow with the Center for Philosophy for Children (now PLATO) from 2017-2019, during which he earned a Certificate of Mastery. Jordan has led philosophy sessions in a wide range of educational contexts.

Fall 2024: Existentialism and Free Will
Wednesdays – October 9, 16, 23 30, and November 6 and 13
All classes 4:30-5:45 pm Pacific Time

Do we have free will? How do we know? What is the meaning of life? How should I live it? Questions about existence and the personal agency we have (or do not have) in shaping our lives have puzzled generation after generation. In this class, students will consider several such existential questions and make sense of what it means for them as they navigate this world.

Winter 2025: The Music We Love and Why
Wednesdays – January 22 and 29 and February 5, 12, 26 and March 5 (no class February 19)
All classes 4:30-5:45pm Pacific Time

Music is a part of most people’s lives. The teen years, in particular, are marked by a strong attachment to music both as an art form and as a means of constructing one’s identity. Students will talk together about what music is, what we love about it, how what we listen to does and does not provide information about us to others, and what makes some music beautiful and other music not-so-beautiful.

Spring 2025: We Live in A Society
Wednesdays – April 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14, and 21
All classes 4:30-5:45pm Pacific Time

Humans live in community with one another, relying on each other in various ways and making decisions as individuals that impact others. What kinds of values seem fairly universal for humans? What values are more individualized? How do we best approach disagreements about what values should guide our social arrangements? Students will explore these questions and more together, giving priority to the questions and themes on their minds.

These classes will be interactive and collaborative, requiring attention and participation of all students. Students should have their cameras on during class, as visual presence both enhances a sense of community and increases accessibility for all participants.

Barring unforeseen circumstances and illness, we expect students to attend all six sessions in the series. Consistent attendance is important for building community and deepening our discussions over the weeks we meet.

Philosophical conversations involve topics about which reasonable people can disagree. All participants are expected to arrive prepared to listen carefully, thoughtfully engage with others’ ideas, and bravely share their own thoughts.

Session facilitators will ensure we maintain a respectful and intellectually safe community of inquiry. Students will experience the joys of thinking together about the ethical and other philosophical questions on our minds.

The cost for a six-week class is $100 for non-members, or $75 for PLATO members (become a member here).

Please use the form to the right (or below on mobile) to register for the fall, winter, and/or spring classes.

Please register and make payment by the following deadlines:

Fall Class: Registration closed
Winter Class: Registration closed
Spring Class: Registration closed

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is not complete until payment is made. No refunds will be given after the registration deadline.

PLATO offers generous financial assistance for students. If you require a full or partial scholarship, please send an email to info@plato-philosophy.org before you register and indicate your reason(s) for the request and the extent of financial assistance you need.

Questions? Email info@plato-philosophy.org.