Abe Matthew and Bess Rothman, both philosophy doctoral students in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT, established a Boston chapter of the national Corrupt the Youth nonprofit organization. The organization brings philosophy into high school classrooms, specifically targeting underserved communities. The Boston Chapter has been collaborating with the Global Issues class at The English High School in Jamaica Plain for the past two years. The class, composed primarily of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, introduces philosophy as a tool for critical thinking and reflection on contemporary socio-political issues.
During the grant period, the MIT volunteers facilitated weekly discussions on topics such as animal ethics, war ethics, the politics of art, and the ethics of climate activism. These discussions were designed to help students engage with complex real-world issues through a philosophical lens, encouraging deeper understanding and critical thought. Students expressed a sense of surprise and appreciation for being introduced to philosophical thinking about the everyday issues that affect their lives.
Additionally, several students were inspired to pursue philosophy in college, a testament to the program’s potential in broadening academic and intellectual horizons. These outcomes were especially meaningful given that many of these students may not have considered philosophy as a field of study prior to participating in Corrupt the Youth.
The success of this program underscores the importance of exposing students from underrepresented communities to diverse intellectual disciplines. With continued support, we aim to expand our outreach and further our mission of promoting philosophical inquiry in underserved schools.
