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We are pleased to introduce the Reason & Rationality 2026 Convivium summer program at Princeton Theological Seminary (June 7-19) and (June 21 - July 2). Reason & Rationality Foundation Program - Princeton 2026 Reason & Rationality is an intensive summer program where students explore 20 major topics in philosophy, economics, and decision-making, such as whether humans have free will, why democracies succeed or falter, what makes a belief justified, and how systems (from markets to moral norms) produce unexpected outcomes. Our instructors are Ph.D. students or young professors from leading philosophy programs, who teach in a close mentoring model that emphasizes intellectual play and humility. Outside the classroom, students often continue their conversations late into the evening in lounges and common spaces. Some of our students go on to participate in Reason & Rationality podcasts, which you can check out on this website. Both sessions of the Foundation Program are held at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Students who, as of Summer 2026, are entering 9th grade through those who have just graduated from high school are eligible to apply. While preference will be given to those applying to the full 2-week program, students may also apply to attend a single week. Session 1 - Week 1: June 7 - 13, 2026 Session 1 - Week 2: June 14 - 20, 2026 Session 2 - Week 1: June 21 - 27, 2026 Session 2 - Week 2: June 27 - July 2, 2026 Hear Student Reflections: Hear Instructor Reflections: Foundation Program 2026 Sample Schedule Week One Week Two Program Schedule Tuition and Pricing The program fee of $6,900 covers all classes, activities, housing, and meals for the full two-week program ($4,600 for a single week). A $1,000 deposit is due at the time of application, which promptly will be refunded if the application is not accepted, with the remaining balance being due within seven (7) days of acceptance. Reason & Rationality will refund the full deposit and any tuition payments if request is made prior to April 22, 2026. Program fees will increase for applications received after January 1, 2026 (was December 1, 2025). If your student needs financial aid, please contact us at: info@reasonandrationality.com. Questions About Reason & Rationality's Vision for Conversation-Based Education? Check out the frequently asked questions on our website or reach out to Reason & Rationality at info@reasonandrationality.com .

Reason & Rationality Foundation & Advanced Programs at Princeton Session 1: June 7 - June 20, 2026 Session 2: June 21 - July 2, 2026 Apply What is Reason & Rationality? Reason & Rationality equips high school students with the tools to think rigorously about complex questions, separate fact from ideology, and participate in lively intellectual discussion. The 2-week Foundation Program focuses on 20 Big Ideas in Philosophy, Economics and Ethics. Classes are rigorous, fast-paced and full of humor. Students sharpen their critical thinking and communication skills and leave with a grasp of the intellectual frameworks that empower them to become confident independent thinkers. Peter Bach-y-Rita DEAN OF ACADEMICS Peter Bach-y-Rita: Ph.D., MIT (Philosophy), J.D. Stanford Law School, A.B. Princeton University (highest honors). Dr. Bach-y-Rita's dissertation at MIT was at the intersection of ethics, biology and technology. He has published work on intellectual property, bankruptcy law, and the nature of legal causation. He co-founded Reason & Rationality in 2023. Hear Student Reflections: Hear Instructor Reflections: What Our Students Have To Say "We learned how we would like to be as people, how we would like to converse with each other and think about the world." - Anne, Princeton 2025 Watch "When I came here, I really noticed that my perspective was broadened because I was first of all surrounded by a bunch of amazing students." - Harry, Princeton 2025 Watch "I can count four distinct moments in the last three days where I had a physical reaction to a philosophical concept that was explained to me" - Harrison, Princeton 2025 Watch Hear What Parents Are Saying About Reason & Rationality's Princeton 2025 Program Watch Reason & Rationality Students in Action James' research on the Trolley Problem James B Estes attended the original Reason & Rationality discussion series in 2023 as a participant and TA, later joining the team to co-found the Reason & Rationality Summer Program. Inspired by the class session on the Trolley Problem, James conducted empirical research into survey respondents’ intuitions about an important Trolley Problem variant. He then authored and published a peer reviewed article entitled Empirical Evidence Reveals the Motivation of Subjects Who Switch Tracks in the Trolley Loop Case. Congratulations to James on being admitted into Harvard class of 2029. Claire's Reason & Rationality Podcast Ep. 1 Claire Ziebart, a senior at the Cate School in Carpinteria, California, attended Reason & Rationality 2025 at Princeton and Swarthmore as our Student Services intern. Here she hosts a podcast with fellow RNR students, joined by instructor Joe Schmid. They discuss philosopher Robert Nozick's "experience machine" thought experiment.

The Reason & Rationality 2025 Convivium is open to students currently in grades 8 - 12. Please fill out the application form. Application Form and Deposit Primary Parent /Guardian Contact First Name* Primary Parent /Guardian Contact Last Name * Primary Parent /Guardian Contact Email* Primary Parent /Guardian Contact Phone * Primary Parent / Guardian Mailing Address * Student 1's First Name* Student 1's Last Name* Student 1's Email Address* Student 1's Phone Number* Student 1's Year of Graduation* Student 1's Gender* Name, City, & State of High School Attended* (If you want to apply for more than one student/sibling, please continue to submit this application form for your first student, make the deposit payment, and then email us at info@reasonandrationality.com for your second student.) How Did You Hear About Us?* Teacher College Counselor Friend or Family Member Google Social Media Email Other Select One of the Following Options. Note: Preference given to Full Two-Week Program applicants. Are you interested in the full two-week session, or a single week session? Full Two-Week Session One-Week Session I confirm that I am the Student's parent or legal guardian. By checking the box, I give permission for my child to be photographed or recorded during Reason & Rationality’s Summer Program, and that photos, videos, or recordings may be used for program materials or promotion, now and in the future. * I confirm that I am the Student's parent or legal guardian. I acknowledge that Reason & Rationality allows students to leave campus during free time and that students are responsible for their own conduct while off campus. I also give permission for the Student to participate in weekend activities that may include unsupervised swimming, canoeing, and other water sports at a lake or swimming pool. I understand and accept the inherent risks of such activities. * I confirm that I am the Student's parent or legal guardian. By checking the box, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Student Handbook . * Deposit will be promptly returned if your application is not accepted. $1,000 Deposit Amount Submit Application and Pay Deposit

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Teacher Recommendation Primary Parent / Guardian First Name Primary Parent / Guardian Last Name Primary Parent / Guardian Email Address (This will be used to log in to your account) Select an Address How Many Students Are You Signing Up? 1 Student 2 Students Student 1's First name Student 1's Last name Student 1's Email (Students will be copied on emails) Student 1's Phone Student 1's Year of Graduation Student 1's Gender Choose an option Student 1's Name, City, & State of High School Attended Student 2's First name Student 2's Last name Student 2's Email (Students will be copied on emails) Student 2's Phone Student 2's Year of Graduation Student 2's Gender Choose an option Student 2's Name, City, & State of High School Attended How Did You Hear About Us? Teacher College Counselor Friend or Family Member Google Social Media Email Other Are You Interested In the Full Two Week Session, or a Single Week Session? Full Two-Week Session Single Week Only Full Two-Week Session Session 1 (June 7th - June 20th) - $6,900 (Early Bird Pricing) Session 2 (June 21st - July 2nd) - $6,900 (Early Bird Pricing) Single Week Only: Session 1 - Week 1: June 7 - 13, 2026 - $4600 Session 1 - Week 2: June 14 - 20, 2026 - $4600 Session 2 - Week 1: June 21 - 27, 2026 - $4600 Session 2 - Week 2: June 27 - July 2, 2026 - $4600 Full Two-Week Session Session 1 (June 7 - June 20) - $13,800 (Early Bird Discounted Price) Session 2 (June 21 - July 2) - $13,800 (Early Bird Discounted Price) Single Week Only Session 1 - Week 1: June 7 - 13, 2026 - $9,200 Session 1 - Week 2: June 14 - 20, 2026 - $9,200 Session 2 - Week 1: June 21 - 27, 2026 - $9,200 Session 2 - Week 2: June 27 - July 2, 2026 - $9,200 Send Thanks for submitting!

Question Title This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Reason & Rationality Learn More Foundation & Advanced Programs at Princeton Session 1: June 7 - June 19, 2026 Session 2: June 21 - July 2, 2026 Why It Matters and why you should care Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what your team does and what your site has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement. Statistics or Trust Badges 01 CALL OUT #1 02 CALL OUT #2 03 CALL OUT #3 04 CALL OUT #4 Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what your team does and what your site has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement. Additional Content Section For Further Context James' research on the famous Trolley Problem Immediate Impact James B Estes attended the original Reason & Rationality discussion series in 2023 as a participant and TA, later joining the team to co-found the Reason & Rationality Summer Program. Inspired by the class session on the Trolley Problem, James conducted empirical research into survey respondents’ intuitions about an important Trolley Problem variant. He then authored and published a peer reviewed article entitled Empirical Evidence Reveals the Motivation of Subjects Who Switch Tracks in the Trolley Loop Case. Apply Now!

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Reason & Rationality Foundation & Advanced Programs at Princeton Session 1: June 7 - June 19, 2026 Session 2: June 21 - July 2, 2026 Apply Now What is Reason & Rationality? Reason & Rationality equips high school students with the tools to think rigorously about complex questions, separate fact from ideology, and participate in lively intellectual discussion. The 2-week Foundation Program focuses on 20 Big Ideas in Philosophy, Economics and Ethics. Classes are rigorous, fast-paced and full of humor. Students sharpen their critical thinking and communication skills and leave with a grasp of the intellectual frameworks that empower them to become confident independent thinkers. Peter Bach-y-Rita DEAN OF ACADEMICS Peter Bach-y-Rita: Ph.D., MIT (Philosophy), J.D. Stanford Law School, A.B. Princeton University (highest honors). Dr. Bach-y-Rita's dissertation at MIT was at the intersection of ethics, biology and technology. He has published work on intellectual property, bankruptcy law, and the nature of legal causation. He co-founded Reason & Rationality in 2023. Hear Student Reflections: Hear Instructor Reflections: See What Our Students Have To Say "We learned how we would like to be as people, how we would like to converse with each other and think about the world." - Anne, Princeton 2025 Watch "When I came here, I really noticed that my perspective was broadened because I was first of all surrounded by a bunch of amazing students." - Harry, Princeton 2025 Watch "I can count four distinct moments in the last three days where I had a physical reaction to a philosophical concept that was explained to me" - Harrison, Princeton 2025 Watch See What Parents Are Saying About Reason & Rationality's Princeton 2025 Program Watch James' research on the famous Trolley Problem Immediate Impact James B Estes attended the original Reason & Rationality discussion series in 2023 as a participant and TA, later joining the team to co-found the Reason & Rationality Summer Program. Inspired by the class session on the Trolley Problem, James conducted empirical research into survey respondents’ intuitions about an important Trolley Problem variant. He then authored and published a peer reviewed article entitled Empirical Evidence Reveals the Motivation of Subjects Who Switch Tracks in the Trolley Loop Case. Apply Now!

Our classrooms are designed to inspire, featuring small, discussion-friendly setups that encourage active participation and collaboration. Reason & Rationality Classroom and Dorms Our classrooms are designed to inspire, featuring small, discussion-friendly setups that encourage active participation and collaboration. Each session takes place in a focused yet welcoming environment, ensuring every student feels heard and engaged. After a day of stimulating learning, students can relax and recharge in our comfortable dorms, which provide a safe and social space to unwind, connect with peers, and reflect on the day’s insights. Together, our classrooms and dorms create a balanced experience that supports both academic growth and personal connections. Apply Now! 2025 Summer Program Glimpse Into Classrooms and Dormitory Accommodations Princeton Theological Seminary Swarthmore College Ready to Take the Next Step? Apply Now!

We are pleased to introduce the Reason & Rationality 2025 Convivium summer program at Princeton Theological Seminary (June 8-14) and Swarthmore College (July 27 - Aug 2). Reason & Rationality 2025 Summer Program Book a Call 2025 Faculty Classrooms and Dorms Sample Weekly Schedule The program's core philosophy emphasizes that relationship and conversation are fundamental to intellectual growth, encouraging students to delve into complex ideas and develop critical thinking skills. By offering sessions at both Princeton & Swarthmore, students can experience diverse academic atmospheres. This is a valuable opportunity for students seeking to expand their intellectual horizons and prepare for future academic endeavors. We encourage you to share this program with students who demonstrate a strong interest in the humanities and social sciences. The Reason & Rationality 2025 Summer Program, held at Princeton Theological Seminary (June 8-14) and Swarthmore College (July 27 - Aug 2), offers an exceptional opportunity for intellectually curious high school students in grades 9-12. This week-long program provides an immersive experience in Philosophy, Policy, and Economics through informal and engaging salons with a 5:1 student-instructor ratio, facilitated by graduate and undergraduate students from renowned universities like Princeton, Oxford, Michigan, and Purdue. See The Reason & Rationality Difference Download our guide to "Cultivating Authentic Curiosity in Over-Scheduled High School Students" First name Email* Download 2025 Summer Program Overview Session 1 (Princeton Theological Seminary June 8 - 14, 2025) The Value of a Human Life (cost benefit analysis, present value discounting, the significance of future generations) Utilitarianism and The Veil of Ignorance Basic Logic, Intellectual Virtues, Properties of Arguments Moral Realism and Moral Relativism The Trolley Problem Supply and Demand COVID Lockdowns and Ice Cream Cones (total and marginal utility, opportunity cost) Private Property and Prices Complex Systems, Emergent Properties, and the Mystery of Consciousness Norms Unlike our Own (primogeniture, bride price, dowries, indissoluble marriage, cousin marriage) Session 2 (Swarthmore College July 27 - August 2, 2025) 11. Base Rates and the Base Rate Fallacy 12. Selection Bias, Social Desirability Bias 13. Preference Falsification and Self-Deception 14. Harry Frankfurt on Bullshit 15. Bayes’s Rule 16. Do You Live in a Simulation? 17. Rationality, Rationalism and Pascal’s Wager 18. The Conceptual Analysis of “Liberal” and “Conservative” 19. Science Fiction and Philosophy: Life Extension and Universal Basic Income 20. The Ethics of Selling Human Organs and Babies Questions About the Reason & Rationality Vision for Conversation-Based Education? Check out the frequently asked questions on our website or book a call to learn more. Book a Call James' research on the famous Trolley Problem Immediate Impact James B Estes attended the original Reason & Rationality discussion series in 2023 as a participant and TA, later joining the team to co-found the Reason & Rationality Summer Program. Inspired by the class session on the Trolley Problem, James conducted empirical research into survey respondents’ intuitions about an important Trolley Problem variant. He then authored and published a peer reviewed article entitled Empirical Evidence Reveals the Motivation of Subjects Who Switch Tracks in the Trolley Loop Case. Apply Now!

What We Owe Future Generations By Grace Glukhov In this paper, I will argue we must consider the interests of future generations in any major decision that may significantly impact their lives, as we owe future generations the assurance that we will neither shape their future for the worse nor predetermine them to lives they feel are not worth living. I will demonstrate this through showing we have some moral obligation to future people, in the same way we have moral obligations to those in the present. If one accepts the premise that we should avoid making others feel like their lives are not worth living in the present, it follows that this should extend to our duties to future generations. In the second formulation of the Categorical Imperative, Kant says that individuals should not be treated as a means to an end, suggesting that lives have inherent value. I argue that the second formulation extends to the lives of future people. Any lives brought into existence will come to possess the same value as the lives of existing people, meaning we should try to respect future lives in similar ways that we respect present lives. In What We Owe the Future , William MacAskill introduces the idea of longtermism, which says that “positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time.” (William MacAskill, "The Case for Longtermism," excerpt from, in What We Owe the Future ) MacAskill claims that future people are a “silent majority” whose lives are shaped by our actions. In support of his argument, he turns to positive trends of the past (e.g. women receiving the right to vote) and examples of what we could prevent (e.g., “engineered viruses [and] A.I.-enabled totalitarianism”). Critics of longtermism might say that this framework places the lives of those who are not yet alive above those who are. They might also say that it is too hard to predict the future. However, I believe we live in an era where we have enough understanding of future threats for us to be able to act in ways we know we can help: for example, climate change. Not only does fighting climate change help those in the present, but it is a topic we understand will detract from future generations’ lives should it be allowed to continue. This is not to say longtermism is the only ideology we should live by. However, it is clear that there is a pattern of social change and improvement when people are motivated by a desire to forge a better world for their children. In the way that previous generations have fought for rights for themselves and for their children—observed through movements like the suffragettes or Civil Rights—by fighting for ourselves and for our descendants, we can create a better world for people in the present and future. In upholding institutions that will continue to harm humanity, we increase the likelihood that future generations will feel that their life is not worth living due to predetermined circumstances. By virtue of challenging institutions that will detract from human life in the present or future, we help not only future generations, but ourselves. Arguments about distance and lack of personal gain should not affect our view of moral action towards future generations. In his 2003 essay We Don’t Owe Them A Thing! A Tough-Minded But Soft-Hearted View of Aid to the Faraway Needy , Jan Narveson argues that while people have a moral responsibility to not harm others, they are not morally obligated to help those they have not harmed. He claims “distance [from future generations] makes a difference only because and therefore if greater distance increases the cost of our doing things at that distance.” He adds “the higher the cost to the agent, other things being equal, the less stringent is that duty. Distance is normally a cost factor.” (Jan Narveson, "We Don't Owe Them a Thing! A Tough-minded but Soft-hearted View of Aid to the Faraway Needy," The Monist 86, no. 3) Under Narveson’s paradigm, we are not morally obligated to help future generations unless we know our actions cause direct harm—something harder to be sure of due to how far away in time they exist from us. In fact, Narveson’s view of distance as a “cost factor” means that helping future generations is burdensome for us. However, I find Narveson’s argument about distance unconvincing for two reasons. Firstly, I believe that non-action is a choice that can still contribute to making things worse for future generations. For example, while someone may not be one of the worlds’ biggest fossil fuel emitters, it is hard to live a normal life without contributing to pollution or harming the environment. If one does not attempt to compensate for some of their emissions, they will most certainly have a role (even if it is a small one) in making the climate crisis worse for future generations. Secondly, though increased distance comes with the potential for more intervening factors and a lessened chain of causation, this does not absolve us of all fault. For example, we (Generation A) may plant the seeds for Generation B to take actions that will impose negative effects on the lives of Generation C. In both this scenario and the scenario of inaction, it is hard to argue that we do not bear any responsibility for suffering. The chain of causation will ultimately lead back to our actions—regardless of our intent. If our actions provide for the potential of future suffering, our distance from that suffering (and any factors in between) does not take away the negative implications of our role. Thus, since we will almost certainly have an impact on future generations, we should feel a moral obligation to mitigate the negative effects our actions would bestow onto future lives. In his paper, Narveson also argues that “very distant people are unlikely ever to be in a strictly reciprocal relation to us,” which means that we do not owe help to future people, as we gain very little (or nothing) from them. (Narveson, "We Don't Owe Them a Thing!") I find this claim to be unconvincing, as we owe things to beings in the present that cannot reciprocate. For example, many would argue we owe newborn babies protection and care. However, our relationships to newborn babies are not reciprocal in the traditional sense. In fact, the love between a parent and a child is often described as unconditional. While we can argue that caring for babies provides us with happiness and fulfillment, there is a strong case to be made that knowing our descendants will be protected and provided the conditions to lead fulfilling lives can also offer fulfillment to us. Thus, just because future generations cannot reciprocate in the traditional sense, that does not lessen our obligations to them. Since each of our actions will have an impact on the future, when faced with multiple choices, we should choose the one that is most moral in that situation. Reasons and Persons by Derek Parfit introduces the non-identity problem, which suggests we cannot be blamed for the suffering of future generations since our actions that caused that suffering have also led to their existence. Parfit argues that an existence with suffering is likely to be better than nonexistence. However, any action leads to a certain future set of people. Though taking the more moral action will lead to a different group of people than picking the less moral action, any action will mean that certain people will exist and certain people will not come into existence. Thus, we should focus on our actions being well intentioned, as to avoid causing suffering to anyone. It is plausible to suggest that trying to center our actions around helping lives that do not yet exist can take away from helping current people. However, as I have argued, we live in a day and age where we have a fairly concrete understanding of both the problems future generations are likely to face and ways in which we can help mitigate these problems. As I discussed, taking action that considers the lives of future generations rarely comes at a personal expense to us. Therefore, we owe it to future generations to make good intentioned decisions about future conditions that will impact them. Bibliography Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals . MacAskill, William. "The Case for Longtermism." In What We Owe the Future . Excerpt from In What We Owe the Future. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/05/opinion/the-case-for-longtermism.html Narveson, Jan. "We Don't Owe Them a Thing! A Tough-minded but Soft-hearted View of Aid to the Faraway Needy." The Monist 86, no. 3. Parfit, Derek. Reasons and Persons . Clarendon Press, 1987.

The Reason & Rationality 2025 Convivium is open to students currently in grades 8 - 12. Please fill out the application form. Reason & Rationality Complete Application and Pay Deposit Below The Reason & Rationality 2026 Summer Program is open to students currently in grades 8 - 12. Admission is limited because of the small student-instructor ratio. Please complete and submit the application form below. Reason & Rationality welcomes intellectually curious high school students from all schools and backgrounds, from the USA and internationally. In Summer 2025, some of our students came from schools including: Andover (Phillips Academy), MA • Astra Nova School, CA • Branson School, CA • The Brearley School, NY • The Bullis School, MD • The Chapin School, NY • The Collegiate School, VA • Deerfield Academy, MA • Foxborough Regional Charter School, MA • Germantown Academy, PA • The Hun School of Princeton, NJ • Jackson Hole High School, WY • Lick-Wilmerding High School, CA • Los Gatos High School, CA • Magnificat High School, OH • The Nueva School, CA • Northridge Prep, IL • Oakwood Friends School, NY • Palo Alto School, CA • Park Tudor School, IN • Princeton Day School, NJ • Round Rock High School, TX • Rye Country Day School, NY • St Christopher’s School, Bahrain • Stanford Online High School, CA • Stanton College Preparatory School, FL • Stevenson School, CA • The Stony Brook School, NY • The Taft School, CT • Viewpoint School, CA • Waterford School, UT. Summer 2026 Tuition and Pricing: Tuition for Early Bird Enrollment (prior to Nov 15, 2025) is $6900 for the full program (room and board included). Normal price is $7900. If you have financial need, please contact us about a $1,000 discount. All applicants must submit a $1,000 deposit, which will be returned if your application is not accepted. Session I: Princeton Theological Seminary - June 7th through June 19th Session 2: Princeton Theological Seminary - June 21st through July 2nd Student's First name* Student's Last name* Students Email* Phone Number* Gender* Year of Graduation* Home Mailing Address* Name, City & State of High School Attended* Primary Parent /Guardian Contact First Name* Primary Parent /Guardian Contact Last Name * Primary Parent /Guardian Mailing Address* Primary Parent /Guardian Contact Email* Primary Parent /Guardian Contact Phone * How Did You Hear About Us?* Teacher College Counselor Friend or Family Member Google Social Media Email Other Select One of the Following Options. Note: Preference given to Full Two-Week Program applicants. Are you interested in the full two-week session, or a single week session? Full Two-Week Session One-Week Session I am the parent or legal guardian of the student applicant. I have read and agree to the Student Handbook and the Talent Release Form . By checking this box, I confirm that my agreement is legally binding and that this checkbox serves as my electronic signature. Deposit will be promptly returned if your application is not accepted. $1,000 Deposit Amount Submit Application and Pay Deposit