John Locke PPE Summer School 2025
I attended the John Locke Summer School Programme (PPE) held in Singapore from 14 to 20 December, an intensive academic programme that brought together students from across the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and Singapore to engage deeply with questions at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics. During the week, the programme provided a rare environment where serious intellectual inquiry intersected with sincere cross-cultural exchange, thereby facilitating learning that transcended the classroom experience.
A defining feature of the programme was the opportunity to learn directly from renowned educators such as Dr Nick Tasker and Mr Martin Cox, whose teaching emphasised not only conceptual clarity but also the discipline of reasoning in public discourse. The seminars and guided discussions challenged me to question ideological and governance assumptions, while also developing the moral responsibility and communication skills to navigate these ideas carefully and effectively. The program culminated in the Ideological Turing Test, a public-speaking competition in which participants explored and defended randomly assigned philosophical positions, teaching us the importance of critical thinking and clear communication. This exercise profoundly impacted me by compelling me to engage seriously with a view that runs counter to my own beliefs. As such, learning to understand the opposing point of view was extremely fulfilling on a rational level, and being named the Best Speaker at the Ideological Turing Test was the cherry on top. It was not simply a competitive achievement, but also a validation of the week-long academic discussions I had been participating in.
The people I met during the programme were equally impactful. Meeting and interacting daily with peers from different nations, cultures, and academic backgrounds always offered me perspectives arising from experiences shaped by very different political and social realities. Disagreement over diverse issues of justice, inequality, and governance turned abstract theory into concrete experience. The conversations frequently stretched into the late evenings as we walked around Clarke Quay, wheeled in meals, and informally reflected on the day's discussions. All these moments, outside the classroom, helped us build a bond of trust, friendship, and a shared purpose.
In conclusion, the John Locke Summer School Programme was an intellectual and personal milestone. It honed my critical thinking skills, public speaking skills, and the ability to engage with opposing ideas respectfully. Moreover, it enabled me to build a long-lasting global community rooted in curiosity and mutual respect. Just as listening to a statesman outline national strategy reveals a country’s direction, this program offered a peek into the global, thoughtful, and principled leadership that our generation can work to build together.
