The Dialectic: High School Philosophy Summer Camp

2026 Topic: Building Better Communities 

Our communities are in trouble. Differences of opinion (especially those having to do with politics) start fights between family members, friends and neighbors. Political polarization is making it increasingly hard to see the good in people who aren’t on “the same side” (whatever side that is). Tackling this head on, our focus this week will be on cultivating civic virtues — such as openmindedness, humility and empathy — skills that we need to get through polarizing times.

Some guiding questions that we will be engaging: 

• What are civic virtues? Why do we want them?
• Is it always important to be right?
• How can we avoid echo chambers?
• What values hold up our community? Our country?
• How can we develop compassion, and work with people who disagree with us? 
   

For one week, you are a college student, working with ASU’s graduate students, to investigate these questions — coming to campus in the morning and leaving in the evening. You will get to meet a handful of ASU professors as they come in to give guest lectures. We will be drawing from Ethics, Aesthetics, Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of Wellbeing. In the meantime, you’re hanging out with your peers that want to look at life a little more carefully. You are part of an intellectual community. You’re running around campus, eating in dining halls, peeking into the life of a college student.

Website to learn more: https://shprs.asu.edu/PHIsummercamp