APO 2015 High School Essay Contest Brochure, New Due Date & Topics

The new due date is February 15, 2015.

This due date supercedes the one published in the APO 2015 brochure.

Here are the two question choices or topics for the 2015 APO. You may choose either one -- there is no preference or advantage to choosing one over the other -- and write an essay about it in French, German or Spanish. Then carefully follow the directions in the brochure (the images of which you will see, below, in this blog).

Topic I.

In ancient Greece, the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus, concluded that fundamental reality is never constant and always in a state of flux. To illustrate this point, he was famously quoted as saying “no man ever steps in the same river twice.” Another pre-Socratic philosopher, Parmenides, concluded the opposite, namely that ultimate reality was changeless and indivisible. This became known as the Atomistic (from the Greek word “atomos” or not sliceable) view of the world in which there are unchanging, perfect Forms that comprise reality. In your view, is the fundamental nature of reality in a state of flux (changeable) or is it atomistic (changeless)? Explain and defend your view.

 Topic II.

Assume either that God exists or does not exist, then write about the ethical or moral decision-making process that one would use in either case to make good moral judgments. Assume that the social context of the decision required is religiously pluralistic. Make sure to discuss how one would justify the decision to all involved in such a pluralistic social context in either case. You may use any examples you need to clarify your ideas whether real or invented.