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Discussion Circles
How it Works

  1. All discussion circles are held weekly through Zoom and are free & open to all. 

  2. A Circle typically consists of 5-8 participants led by a PhilosophYouth discussion facilitator.

  3. A topic is chosen for each session (usually by those present at the previous one), and the discourse begins there.

  4. Everyone stands on equal footing, and all are encouraged to share their perspective on the session's topic.

How to Join

  1. Sign up using the form at the bottom of this page. 

  2. Within 24 hours, you will receive an email confirming your registration. Respond to confirm your slot and receive the Zoom details for the session(s).

  3. Enter the Zoom meeting 5-10 minutes before your Circle's schedule.

  4. If you would like to continue attending, please inform your PhilosophYouth representative at the end of the session.

House Rules

  1. All must enter the discussion circle with an open mind, ready to speak, and excited to hear other people's thoughts. 

  2. No foul language, discrimination, or harassment of any kind will be tolerated during sessions.

  3. Discussions are not formally moderated, though a PhilosophYouth representative will be present to make sure that discussion runs smoothly. 

  4. We employ an informal finish-your-thought policy, by which whoever is speaking must be allowed to finish their thought before anyone else interrupts, particularly in more heated debates. If any single person continues speaking for an extended amount of time, however, the PhilosophYouth representative may gently interject and redirect the discussion to make sure that everyone gets the chance to speak.

  5. The schedules listed in the form below are in EST (Eastern Standard Time). Please make sure to always double-check the conversion to your time zone to prevent any mishaps.

  • What is the role of the discussion facilitator?
    The discussion facilitator helps everyone get the most out of each discussion session by kindling conversation, making sure that everyone gets the chance to share their thoughts, and maintaining the civil, productive, and philosophical qualities of the discussion. In the spirit of our mission and vision, PhilosophYouth discussion facilitators are not teachers but youth and, unlike philosophy teachers, are permitted to engage in the discussion in addition to leading it. Accordingly, any opinions expressed by our representatives are entirely their own, and we encourage you to challenge any opinions that you disagree with. If you are interested in becoming a PhilosophYouth discussion facilitator, you may volunteer at philosophyouth.org/volunteer.
  • What will I learn at a Discussion Circle?
    The topics we discuss are different every single week, but the key central piece of every discussion is practicing how to think deeply about a problem, express your thoughts clearly, and be open to learning from the input of others. In addition to a regular venue for philosophical conversation, you will also gain exposure to a range of topics and, of course, to the diversity of thought that is always brought out in a round table discussion. Each discussion will make you think through a great conversation.
  • Are discussion sessions like philosophy classes?
    Discussion sessions are similar to philosophy classes in that we spend the session exploring different problems through a philosophical lens, learning about the answers philosophy has provided, and developing our own solutions. However, they are different from philosophy classes in that there is no lecturer or formal teacher, and everyone is given an equal opportunity to speak their mind and develop their ideas.
  • Do I need to study or prepare before joining a discussion session?
    PhilosophYouth exists for the benefit and enjoyment of young philosophers, so our discussion sessions never require or assume any prerequisite knowledge. We do sometimes provide a simple primer and a few extra resources together with the topic once it is released, but it is all optional and provided only to improve your discussion experience.
  • Who is allowed to join?
    Anyone! Whether this will be your first experience with philosophy or your thousandth, anyone is free to join, as the community-based nature of each discussion session ensures that it will be engaging for anyone who attends. We would like to note, however, that PhilosophYouth is geared primarily toward younger people (most of our members are in high school or college), though adults are welcome to come and join the conversation as well. Parents who want to supervise their child's first discussion session with PhilosophYouth are also welcome to sit in.
  • Do I need to apply or become a member before I can join a session?
    All you have to do to join is fill out the short form below! Simply follow the instructions listed above, confirm your slot, and you will receive the Zoom details through email. After your first session, you will receive a follow-up email asking whether you would like to become a member and continue philosophizing with PhilosophYouth. If you agree, you will officially become a member (you may opt out any time) and gain access to our private Discord server.
  • Can participants get a Certificate for joining?
    Unfortunately the fluid nature of discussions means that we cannot provide a certificate guaranteeing that you completed a particular curriculum. We can, however, provide a Certificate of Membership to members who request it. This certificate will indicate how many discussion sessions you have participated in and any written work you may have published with PhilosophYouth.
  • My question wasn't answered here. Where can I ask it?
    Please do not hesitate to contact us at contact@philosophyouth.org. You may also use the form on the Contact Us page, and we will get back to you shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discussion Sign-Up Form
Discussion Circle Sign-Up Form
Choose your session(s)

Thank you for signing up!

You will receive a confirmation email with the details of your session(s) soon.

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