Precollege Philosophy and Public Practice (P4) is an open-access, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed academic online journal that explores philosophy with young people as well as philosophy in non-traditional spaces. Published annually, the journal welcomes scholarly articles related to the fields of philosophy with the young and public philosophy. 

P4 accepts submissions on public-facing philosophy including work that is done in K-12 classrooms, prisons, retirement communities, and community organizations. Issues include scholarly work, relevant book reviews, symposia, and “Notes from the Field” – essays by classroom teachers and publicly engaged philosophers focused on practical and pedagogical issues.

P4 is sponsored by PLATO, the Kegley Institute of Ethics, the Philosophy Documentation Center, and the Squire Family Foundation. 

Volume 5 of P4 is now available.

For more information about P4, including access to all issues with additional functions, please visit the Philosophy Documentation Center.

Kristopher Phillips, Editor in Chief

Karen Emmerman, Associate Editor

Kelly Laas, Managing Editor

Roberta Israeloff, Editorial Advisor

Michael D. Burroughs, Founding Editor

P4 accepts submissions year-round from scholars and teachers that employ empirical, critical, or theoretical models. 

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

• The relationship between philosophy, education, and public philosophy
• Advocacy work including creative approaches to public and K-12 philosophy
• Interdisciplinary approaches to public and/or K-12 philosophy
• Comparative research on approaches to philosophy and dialogue-based education
• Empirical research on:
  • impacts/outcomes of philosophy and dialogue-based education, human development, social-emotional learning, and/or outreach programs
  • assessment and evaluation of philosophy programs in non-traditional spaces.

The journal also publishes book reviews – primarily for newly-published books on topics relevant to the journal’s focus areas – and “Notes from the Field” – essays by classroom teachers and publicly engaged philosophers focused on practical and pedagogical issues.  

Questions? Contact editor-in-chief Kristopher G. Phillips.   

Click below for submission guidelines.