PPE: three keys to understand and
change the world

The John Locke Institute is hosting its famous PPE summer school in Singapore for the second time this December.

We are carefully selecting the best and brightest, from Asia and beyond, from an application pool that includes over one thousand pre-registered candidates to explore philosophical, political and economic insights. Will you join us ?

APPLY NOW

Become the best
version of you

We invite you to apply now to join other exceptional young scholars as our inspiring professors challenge you to listen generously, to think critically, and to develop and deliver robust responses with clarity, precision and persuasive force.

Our aim is to make great students even better, by expanding your intellectual horizons and helping you aim for the highest standards of academic rigour.

It’s not really about knowledge

Our PPE summer school is not chiefly concerned with communicating facts; instead we seek to nurture intellectual skills and help our students cultivate habits of mind that will make you a better philosopher, a better political scientist, and a better economist.

Can someone be both confident and humble?

After a week with us in Singapore we expect that you will be a more subtle and sophisticated thinker, more flexible and open-minded, and - in what might appear to be paradoxical (but isn't) - we think you will acquire not only more intellectual confidence but also more intellectual humility.

What is PPE?

The PPE summer school touches on a wide range of topics, including ethics, metaethics, logic, epistemology, political philosophy, history of political thought, political economy, micro and macroeconomics, maths-for-economics, and game theory.

Our interdisciplinary curriculum uses the material and methodology of each subject to illuminate the others.

Right brain / left brain

PPE offers an excellent combination of disciplines to develop complementary thinking skills. The patient reflection required to grasp elusive philosophical concepts like the origin of justice, or to reason about the nature and implication of moral responsibility is quite different from, say, the analytical skills necessary to anticipate how a rational agent might respond to new knowledge or changing incentives.

Intelligent people who arrived at different conclusions

PPE offers valuable opportunities to engage with people whose intuitions or conclusions conflict with one's own. We deliberately engineer circumstances in which our students will have to work hard to understand each other, and to make themselves understood.

We will give you a deeper appreciation of what you don’t know, and help you to test what you think you know in order to bring to light any unexamined assumptions. We hope to ignite your passion for learning, strengthen and refine your thinking skills, and cultivate the kind of intellectual humility that enables you to learn from people with whom you disagree.

HOUSING

Accommodation is in twin rooms with shared bathroom facilities. Male and female students will stay in different rooms. Students will also be living with people of the same age.

Free WiFi.

Self-service laundry.

Access to hotel facilities (outdoor swimming pool, and fitness centre).

SINGAPORE

Nestled at the crossroads of vibrant tradition and innovation, Singapore is a city where the gleaming skyline of modernity rises alongside historical gems and lush tropical landscapes. As one of the world's most dynamic and forward-looking cities, it offers a tapestry of cultures, where the tranquil beauty of heritage districts meets the futuristic allure of cutting-edge architecture.

Beyond the classroom, you’ll have the chance to explore Singapore's multifaceted offerings. From the serene beauty of the Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the iconic Marina Bay Sands, each corner tells a story of a proud history intertwined with bold aspirations for the future.

We believe that the spirit of Singapore — its harmonious fusion of tradition and progress — will deeply enrich your experience, encouraging you to reach new heights in your pursuits. Like countless others, you too may find yourself captivated by this remarkable city’s endless possibilities.

WILL YOU JOIN US?