Sometimes I think debate has ruined me.

Like a physicist looking upon the beauty of a sunrise, seeing only emissivity equations, I view beliefs, and see their foundations and fallacies. It allows me to dismember my opponent’s arguments and exploit their weaknesses, but makes me critical of ordinary statements that lack justification. What is it to “do the right thing?”

Knowing theories of justice, I can’t watch the Lion King without contemplating the ethical issues of dividing political power by species and gender. Knowing methods of persuasion, I can’t watch the news without shouting at the TV the logical fallacies being used.

If the only deterrent against crime is punishment, the claim “stealing is wrong” is reduced to a meaningless platitude—only education about the fundamentals of what we owe each other, and why, can lead to meaningful questioning or support of moral authority.

My flash seminar would be on moral philosophy—the most influential answers to the normative question. Even a short exposure to deep, existential questions can create a lasting curiosity. Philosophy is critical: we all make moral decisions every day, and the ability to legitimately question the rightness of actions or representations from fundamental principles, analyze the methods of persuasion they utilize, and justify to ourselves and to each other the rules that exist or need to, will ensure that students can defend their code of honor, and make decisions they know to be right.

Maybe the reasons for the sunrise, make it all the more beautiful.

Senior Jack Murphy answered the question, “If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?” and submitted this essay as part of his successful application to the University of Virginia.