From June 20 26 the Witherspoon Institute held its annual seminar on the Moral Life and the Classical Tradition, a program of the Schreyer Summer Seminars. Each year this seminar brings together rising high school juniors and seniors, along with Professors Michael and Seana Sugrue and Paul Macdonald, to discuss the great works of Plato as well as a variety of themes in Christian moral thought.

This year, students grappled with Platos dialogues Meno, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Phaedo and delved into such works in Christian moral thought as C. S. Lewiss Mere Christianity, John Paul IIs Fides et Ratio and Love and Responsibility, and St. Augustines Confessions. In their Christian Moral Thought classes, the students were presented with a wide range of subjects, all of historical and contemporary debate: from the compatibility of Christianity and science to Christian sexual ethics, bioethics and family. All these discussions fell under the topical aegis of Faith and Reason, and proved great fodder for contemplation. In their Plato classes, the students encountered and engaged one of the most important philosophers in history: Socrates. Through the five Platonic Dialogues, the students were immersed in conversation and Socratic debate about virtue, justice, piety, death, faith, reason, wisdom, knowledge of God, epic, lyric, comedic and tragic myths, and, finally, the goalthe telosof education.

In the words of one participant, the seminar also provided a valuable opportunity for students, earnestly committed to the pursuit of truth, to come together and think in a nurturing environment free from competition. It is a rare opportunity for students of this age-group to find support, not only in dedicated and experienced faculty, but in student preceptors and in their fellow classmates, for robust and vibrant conversation, friendship, and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. The seminar was directed by faculty leaders Michael Sugrue, Ave Maria University; Seana Sugrue, Ave Maria University; and Paul Macdonald, Bucknell University.

Twenty-four applicants came from thirteen states. Admitted students resided and attended seminars on the campus of Princeton University. Since its inception, the cost of the seminar has been almost entirely covered by the generosity of the supporters of the Witherspoon Institute. Students pay a registration fee of $200, which covers less than 20% of the seminars per-person expenditure. In addition, many students receive scholarships and travel stipends.

As one student wrote reflecting on the seminar:
"What is the good life? What is virtue? Why should we act ethically? These are the questions raised by this seminar, and our discussions forced me to reflect on what I want my life to be. Its easy to fall into a life ruled by minutia, but this seminar gave me a universal perspective, divorced from selfish relativism. When I enter college next year, I am confident my faith and moral integrity will withstand the challenges of our secular culture. I used to strive for right opinion; now I seek wisdom."

The Witherspoon Institute is an independent research center that works to enhance public understanding of the moral foundations of free and democratic societies. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, the Institute promotes the application of fundamental principles of republican government and ordered liberty to contemporary problems through a variety of research and educational ventures. To support the Witherspoon Institute, please follow the contribution instructions or donate online via PayPal.