Austria’s Next Top Philosophers
The Austrian finals of the Philosophy Olympiad 2014 took place from 6th to 9th of April at the Bildungshaus Mariatrost. Each province sent one to four finalists (the winners of the Landeswettbewerbe), including Southern Tyrol. It turned out to be a fun and colorful mix of 26people plus a committee of university students of Vienna. The event started on Sunday evening with a few games to get to know each other. On Monday the official essay competition took place at the Akademische Gymnasium. We had to write essays on one out of four quotes by famous philosophers.
We had exactly four hours to write down our philosophical thoughts and no one was allowed to talk. The atmosphere was like in an important test. However, the rest of the time was filled with fun and a relaxing program including philosophical workshops, cinema and improvisation theater.
The presentation ceremony was the last item on the agenda and after exchanging phone numbers we eventually had to say goodbye.
The assessment of the essays was done in two rounds; the first one without fixed places and the second one with a ranking of the best twelve of which the first two will have the honor to go to the International Philosophy Olympiad in Vilnius. I, personally, was very happy to come 9th, which I hadn’t really expected.
