Semifinal 2024/2025

On January 16, 44 young philosophers took part in the semi-finals of the Swiss Philosophy Olympiad.

The semifinals of the Swiss Philosophy Olympiad 2024/2025 were held simultaneously at four schools:

Kantonsschule Zürcher Oberland in Wetzikon, organized by Urs Strässle
Kantonsschule in Burggraben in St. Gallen, organized by Boris Stanisic
Gymnasium Thun, organized by Matteo Albrecht
Collège de Gambach in Fribourg, organized by Guihlem Demierre

In all four locations, the students wrote an essay for two hours and took part in workshops on philosophical topics, such as Chinese philosophy or human rights.

The essay topics were:

Can feelings be immoral?
Can there be scientific understanding without explanation?
What is common sense?
Where does the boundary lie between plagiarism and inspiration?

The essays were evaluated anonymously to identify the best in each semifinal.

Our thanks go to the organizers and host schools, as well as the many teachers and other volunteers who donated their time to the jury.

The following participants (in alphabetical order) will attend the national final, which will take place from March 6 to 8 in Basel. The final will determine who will represent Switzerland at the International Philosophy Olympiad in Bari, Italy from May 15-18.

Finalists

all in alphabetical order

Switzerland

Andrej	Ševera	Collège Voltaire
Angelina	Haag	Kantonsschule Wil
Anna Lena	Janach	Kantonsschule Obwalden
Anouk	Ammann	Gymnasium Kirchenfeld
Austin	Zhang	École Moser
Filipa	Lüthy	Gymnasium Liestal
Gabriel	Pospesel	International School of Zug and Luzern
Hannah	Furer	Gymnasium Neufeld
Joshua	Freiermuth	Gymnasium Kirschgarten
Luisa	Henke	Kantonsschule Wil
Paula	Djalali	Realgymnasium Rämibühl
Ryan	Bloch	Collège Saint-Michel
Yotam	Adan	International School of Zug and Luzern

Principality of Liechtenstein (out of competition)

Patrick	Steffens	Liechtensteinisches Gymnasium
Leonhard	Hasler	Liechtensteinisches Gymnasium

German-speaking Philosophy Olympiad

In addition, two semifinalists graduating high school after 2025 were selected to represent Switzerland at the first edition of the German-speaking Philosophy Olympiad, which is part of the national final of the Austrian Philosophy Olympiad in Salzburg, from March 30 to April 2:

Svenja	Felber	Kantonsschule Trogen
Yihang	Xiong	Kantonsschule am Burggraben

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