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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!

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Reach out to us for program details, enrollment inquiries, or any other information you need. Fill out the form below or contact us directly. Let's Get in Touch Contact Us info@reasonandrationality.com Phone: (415) 948-9625 Think you might have a popular question? Have questions? Check out our FAQ section for quick answers to common inquiries about our programs, enrollment, and more! Send Us a Message Reach out to us for program details, enrollment inquiries, or any other information you need. Fill out the form below or contact us directly. A member of our team will respond within 2-3 business days First name Last name Email Phone Your Message Send Message About Reason & Rationality Application Process Accommodations & Dining Other Who is Reason & Rationality for? High school students who love critical thinking and conversation, as well as high school students seeking to expand their capabilities - authentic curiosity, critical thinking and verbal dexterity - to get into an ideally suited college and to thrive there and beyond. Why Do High School Students Need Reason & Rationality? Crafting strong arguments and holding intellectual conversations that are interesting, persuasive and stay on track requires a combination of critical thinking, conversation techniques and a basic knowledge of the 20 Big Ideas in philosophy, economics and politics that serve as a foundation for many issues. What Problem Does Reason & Rationality Solve? With the many distractions and demands on high school students and families, high school students rarely get the opportunity to practice fluid, to-the-point conversations in a social but formal setting. Students need those skills in order to grasp opportunities that appear in life. What Makes Reason & Rationality Different from Competitor Offerings? We are designed from the ground up for joyful, authentic inquiry. Our classes are concentrated dives into the most important ideas -- from justice and democracy to game theory and the nature of consciousness -- led by Ph.D. students and graduates from top philosophy programs. Our faculty don’t vanish after class; you’ll find them in the lounge at midnight still debating with students. The result is a rare atmosphere where sharp reasoning, open-minded dialogue, and genuine friendships thrive. To make it all work, Reason & Rationality instructors are picked from the most dynamic and energetic young scholars who love connecting with their younger peers and audiences. What is the meaning of Convivial? Convivial (adjective): Marked by good company and cheerful conversation. What will life be like for students after they attend Reason & Rationality? Students will have the skills, knowledge and confidence to speak up more in class with well crafted arguments gaining the attention of teachers and improving their GPA. Students will be well prepared to engage in stimulating intellectual discussions with college interviewers and adeptly handle tricky questions. How should students prepare for the Summer Program? The Summer Program is about fun and conversation, so students are not required to do substantial work in advance. We will email links to some short videos and readings a few weeks before the program, which will help students get in the mindset to maximize their learning from the very beginning of the Program. After each days' activities, students will be assigned short readings to prepare for the next day. FAQ

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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

Explore our gallery to see students engaging in lively discussions, collaborating on thought-provoking challenges, and connecting with world-class instructors. Two-Week Summer Program Photo Gallery

What is a Pre-College Program for high school students? A pre-college program is an intensive, short-term academic experience designed for high school students to explore university-level subjects, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for college rigor. Programs like Reason & Rationality focus on philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE), combining classroom learning with discussion-based workshops led by faculty from top universities. Why it Matters: Pre-college programs help students experience college-level academics before enrolling. Students learn frameworks for analyzing complex societal questions. Exposure to a cohort of like-minded peers builds collaboration and debate skills. Reason & Rationality Learn More Foundation & Advanced Programs at Princeton Session 1: June 7 - June 19, 2026 Session 2: June 21 - July 2, 2026 How Can Pre-College Programs Enhance My College Application? Pre-college programs demonstrate intellectual initiative, curiosity, and engagement—qualities that top colleges seek. Completing a program like Reason & Rationality signals that a student is serious about independent learning, capable of deep thought, and prepared for rigorous academics. Why it Matters: Shows colleges that students pursue challenging educational experiences outside of school. Builds concrete skills in research, discussion, and critical analysis. Provides letters of recommendation from Ivy League faculty and alumni instructors. Are pre-college programs worth the investment? Yes. Pre-college programs like Reason & Rationality offer measurable academic growth, networking opportunities, and preparation for higher education. The investment yields long-term returns in skills, confidence, and college readiness. Students gain advanced understanding of philosophical, ethical, and economic frameworks. Encourages thoughtful debate and problem-solving in a structured, supportive environment. Creates connections with faculty and peers that extend beyond the program. Meet Our Esteemed Faculty 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. Joe earned a BA in Philosophy with highest distinction from Purdue University and is currently a Philosophy PhD student at Princeton University. He has published 16 articles on topics in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and ethics in leading peer-reviewed philosophy journals. He also authored the books Existential Inertia and Classical Theistic Proofs (with Dr. Daniel Linford) and The Majesty of Reason: A Short Guide to Critical Thinking in Philosophy. On the popular level, he creates lecture videos and hosts discussions with philosophers on his YouTube channel Majesty of Reason. His videos have attracted nearly 1.5 million views in total. Joseph Schmid SENIOR TEACHING FELLOW HEAD OF INSTRUCTION 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!

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 Apply Now For 2026 2025 Faculty Classrooms and Dorms Sample Weekly Schedule Students in grades 8 - 12 are invited to apply. Students who attend both sessions get the full experience, priority in enrollment and tuition discount. We are pleased to introduce the Reason & Rationality 2025 Summer Program at Princeton Theological Seminary (June 8-14) and Swarthmore College (July 27 - Aug 2). Each week-long session will bring together students for deep conversations about the biggest ideas in Philosophy, Policy and Economics in a series of informal and convivial salons with an approximately 5:1 student-instructor ratio . Students will live in the college dorms with their instructors. The animating philosophy of Reason & Rationality is that relationship and conversation are the font of the intellectual life. 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 reach out to Reason & Rationality at info@reasonandrationality.com .

Our instructors hail from world-renowned institutions like Princeton, Oxford, and MIT, bringing unmatched expertise and passion to every session. Summer 2025 Faculty Each 2-hour Reason & Rationality class session is led by one Instructor and one supporting Group Leader for a highly interactive 5:1 Student to Instructor ratio. Our Instructors are Ph.D. students or graduates from top philosophy programs. Group Leaders are undergraduate students focused on philosophy, who actively participate and facilitate discussions and help to support activities and continuing conversations outside class. 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. Joe earned a BA in Philosophy with highest distinction from Purdue University and is currently a Philosophy PhD student at Princeton University. He has published 16 articles on topics in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and ethics in leading peer-reviewed philosophy journals. He also authored the books Existential Inertia and Classical Theistic Proofs (with Dr. Daniel Linford) and The Majesty of Reason: A Short Guide to Critical Thinking in Philosophy. On the popular level, he creates lecture videos and hosts discussions with philosophers on his YouTube channel Majesty of Reason. His videos have attracted nearly 1.5 million views in total. Joseph Schmid HEAD OF INSTRUCTION Expert Guest Lecturers Benjamin Morison DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF PHILOSOPHY, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Peter Baumann DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF PHILOSOPHY, SWARTHMORE COLLEGE Christy Wampole PROFESSOR OF FRENCH, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Instructors Noah McKay Noah is a PhD student in philosophy at Princeton University. He earned his BA in philosophy from Covenant College (summa cum laude) and his MSc in philosophy from the University of Edinburgh (First Class Honours). He has published several peer-reviewed academic articles about epistemology, metaethics, and philosophy of religion and presented original research at about a dozen conferences. He has also coached high school debate for seven years. Florence Bacus Florence is a Philosophy PhD student at Harvard University. She received a BS in mathematics and physics from the University of Michigan in 2018, and an MA in philosophy from Tufts University in 2020. Her current work concerns the nature of rational agency and free will and what that has to do with the foundations of ethics, in particular influenced by the moral theory of Immanuel Kant. Summer Convivium Group Leaders Amos Wollen Amos Wollen is an undergraduate reading Philosophy and Theology at Oriel College, Oxford. He is an Emergent Ventures winner. Cadence James Cadence James studies philosophy, politics and economics at Wadham College, Oxford, where she also rows. Oak Hu Oak Hu does math & philosophy at Magdalen College, Oxford — so, she thinks 'philosophy' means playing with symbols like '◊' and 'λ'. Sophia Wyatt Sophia received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago in 2021 and will be entering the Ph.D. program there in Fall 2025. Her primary interests lie in ethics and epistemology, particularly at their intersection. Eugene Shcherbinin Eugene studies philosophy, mathematics and economics at London School of Economics. He is an Em ergent Ventures winner and Ex-President of LSE Effective Altruism. Eugenia Brotons- Batista Eugenia studies philosophy, politics, and economics at the London School of Economics. She used to ski competitively and now she teaches in her spare time. Questions About the 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 . Ready to jump into critical thinking and conversation? Apply Now