The John Locke Essay Competition is a prestigious writing challenge that many students aspire to enter. In this post, we’ll delve into why it’s significant, how to approach it, and what the 2024 prompts entail.

Why It Matters

Universities often question whether applicants can thrive in rigorous academic environments, even when students submit strong English grades and standardized test scores. Writing competitions, especially one as distinguished as the John Locke Essay Competition, help address this concern by showcasing a student’s analytical and writing abilities.

Organized by the John Locke Institute, named after the father of liberalism, this competition evaluates essays through esteemed judges, often professors from Oxford or Princeton. Recognized success in this competition can greatly enhance a student’s university application, particularly for top institutions.

The Competition Process and Experience

Essays are submitted online and undergo multiple rounds of evaluation. Students shortlisted in the final round are invited to Oxford for an academic conference, featuring lectures and seminars led by scholars from prestigious universities like Cambridge and Oxford.

Even without winning, the opportunity to attend this conference and engage with top academics is invaluable. It offers students a glimpse into a world of intellectual rigor and global perspectives, making participation highly rewarding.

2024 Essay Categories and Prompts

The competition spans seven categories, each offering challenging and thought-provoking prompts:

• Philosophy

  • Do we have good reasons to trust our moral intuitions?
  • Do girls have a (moral) right to compete in sports that exclude boys?
  • Should I be held responsible for what I believe?

• Politics

  • Is there such a thing as too much democracy?
  • Is peace possible in the West Bank and Gaza Strip?
  • When does compliance become complicity?

• Economics

  • What is the optimal population of the world?
  • Accurate news reporting is a public good. Should news organizations be publicly funded?
  • Does a successful businessperson benefit others when making or spending money, or both, or neither?

• History

  • Why was sustained economic growth so rare before the late 18th century, and why did that change?
  • Has music ever significantly altered the course of history?
  • Why do civilizations collapse, and is ours at risk?

• Law

  • When should businesses be allowed to refuse to engage with someone because of something they have publicly said?
  • Is the UK becoming a police state?
  • Is bedtime really bedtime if parents don’t enforce it?

• Psychology

  • Why does higher IQ correlate with different marriage outcomes for men and women?
  • Can we fix the epidemic of depression and anxiety among young people?
  • What is the difference between mental illness and personality flaws?

• Theology

  • What does it mean to be "spiritual" rather than religious?
  • If a god causes natural harm, is it reasonable to thank god for protection from it?
  • Does God reward those who believe in him? If so, why?

How to Approach the Prompts

The competition emphasizes research-based writing, setting it apart from others like Scholastic or YoungArts. Crafting a strong essay requires:

1. Thorough Research:
   For example, when addressing "Is there such a thing as too much democracy?" consider cases like Switzerland, where direct democracy has led to controversial outcomes, such as laws against minarets or immigration limits.

2. Clear Definitions:
   For "What is the optimal population of the world?" defining standards like GDP or happiness indices is essential for building a persuasive argument.

3. Deep Analysis:
   Prompts like "When does compliance become complicity?" demand nuanced historical examples, such as South Africa’s apartheid laws, to illustrate the moral complexities involved.

The inclusion of visual aids like graphs and extensive references, as seen in winning essays, further strengthens submissions.

Why You Should Participate

The John Locke Essay Competition challenges students to think critically, conduct in-depth research, and express ideas effectively. Beyond the potential for academic recognition, the competition provides invaluable experiences, intellectual growth, and opportunities to engage with global thought leaders.

If you’re considering entering, don’t hesitate—this is a competition that’s truly worth your effort.

For more guidance or inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at A-One Institute. Thank you!