Online Philosophy Series
General Information
PLATO is offering an online philosophy series for high school students in the 2023-24 school year.
Series Topics:
Fall: Climate Justice
Winter: Truth, Opinion, and Misinformation
Spring: AI, Technology, and Ethics
Each class will meet weekly for six weeks on Zoom.
Classes are entirely free, thanks to a grant from Charles Anderson and Pamela Gross through the San Juan Island Community Foundation.
Students can apply for one, two, or all three classes. No prior experience with philosophy is needed. Please complete the form on the right (below on mobile) to apply.
Applications for the fall, winter, and spring classes are due August 31, 2023.
Class Descriptions
Fall 2023: Climate Justice
Tuesdays – Dates TBD
5-6:15pm Pacific Time
Climate justice is arguably one of the most wide-reaching and pressing environmental and geopolitical issues of our time. We will think together about such questions as: What do we owe to future generations? Is climate justice a matter of individuals making better environmental choices, or do we need to question and change the institutions that govern our lives? Do wealthy, industrialized nations have moral obligations to less affluent nations hardest hit by climate changes?
Winter 2024: Truth, Opinion, and Misinformation
Tuesdays – Dates TBD
5-6:15pm Pacific Time
How true is the news? How do we know? How should we use and represent ourselves on social media? What obligations should media outlets have to their audiences? At a time when misinformation is easily spread, it is crucial to discern which sources are reliable as well as define and explore the nuances of beliefs, opinions, facts, and truth. Students will explore these constructs with the help of thought experiments, ethical dilemmas, and other activities.
Spring 2024 Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and Ethics
Tuesdays – Dates TBD
5-6:15pm Pacific Time
Advances in technology and AI have reimagined what is possible in the near future. Driverless cars, robot teachers and caregivers, and ChatGPT are already changing our lives in ways we didn’t think possible not very long ago. Although these advances are nothing short of amazing, they bring up a host of ethical issues. Whose life should an autonomous car privilege in an accident? Is it okay to use ChatGPT to help write your essays? Who should control the development of these technologies?
Class Structure
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.
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