The Royal Institute of Philosophy has officially launched the Think Essay Prize 2026, a prestigious international philosophy competition for students aged 15–18. The competition invites young thinkers to explore challenging philosophical questions and present their ideas with clarity, rigour, and originality.
Participants are encouraged to submit essays of no more than 1,200 words, engaging with one of the set questions for this year. These cover a wide range of classic and contemporary themes, including the possibility of knowing God, moral responsibility, time travel, artificial intelligence, free speech, and the relationship between science and religion. Each topic is designed to inspire reflection, debate, and critical thinking.
Topics
- To what extent is knowledge of God possible?
- If we live in a physically determined universe, is anyone ever morally responsible for what they do?
- To what extent can science threaten religious and theistic belief?
- Could a machine think and feel?
- Under what circumstances is the State justified in restricting what we can say?
- Is time travel logically possible?
The winning essay will be published in Think, the Royal Institute of Philosophy’s journal written for a wide audience while maintaining academic depth. Shortlisted writers will receive a free one-year subscription to the journal, and those who make the longlist will also receive prizes.
Essays will be judged on academic merit and philosophical insight. Entrants must follow the Rules of Entry carefully. Essays must be original work, in English, double-spaced, and written in 12 pt Calibri or a similar font. Students are strictly prohibited from using artificial intelligence to write or assist in writing their essay. Any submission found to have used AI will be disqualified.
Entries should be submitted via the link provided by the organisers. The deadline for submission is Monday, 20 April 2026, and late entries will not be considered.
This is an exciting opportunity for young writers to engage seriously with philosophical ideas, showcase their analytical skills, and contribute to a respected publication. The organisers look forward to receiving thoughtful and well-argued essays from students around the world.
The closing date for submissions is Monday 20th April 2026.
This blog aims to provide uptodate information on various competitions for Indian students 
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