After more than a year of Zoom events only, JFS and PAJES organised a live Philosophy Day attended by over 30 Year 12 students from JFS and Immanuel College. The day started with a breath-taking and radical survey of Jewish Philosophy delivered by the polymathic Professor Anthony Julius. Arguing that for many thinkers, himself included, intellectual tension and quest is at the heart of the Jewish condition. The morning programme continued with an ethical analysis of government policy during COVID led by Dr Alexander Franklin of the Department of Philosophy at Kings College London.  We are happy to impose lockdowns but enforcing vaccination seems a step too far. Can philosophy help us differentiate between the two?

The afternoon was hosted by Professor John Roiser of the Institute of Neuroscience at University College London. Presentations on the interaction between mind and body featured a balloon blowing competition won outright by the girls of Immanuel College! After an intense day the students dispersed exhausted but enlightened.