top of page

Humanity is a self-imposed task
it's neither innate nor spontaneous

If you're inclined toward the sciences, you'll be tasked with 'looking forward' to the horizon of cutting-edge research in order to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible.If you're inclined toward the arts, that means that you'll be tasked with looking back in order to preserve the lessons of the past.

submenu

Our program addresses the structural deficiencies of an educational system driven by the pedagogy of hyper-specialization and teaching-to-the-test. Accordingly, we believe in maintaining the great books tradition, both ‘East’ & ‘West’, which provides the ground from which to explore the depths & nuances of the human condition.

Application

APPLICATION

STEP 1

STEP 2

Complete
Myers & Briggs 

Submit  
Writing Sample

STEP 3

Contact
Re: Next Steps

 A P P L Y   N O W 

To apply for the wait list, please complete the Myers & Briggs Test, then fill out the form below. Please be sure to attach PDF files of your Myers & Briggs test results and a sample of writing.

Upload File
Upload supported file (Max 15MB)
Upload File
Upload supported file (Max 15MB)

Thanks for submitting your application!

Registration

COURSES

Our directed reading seminars allow students to become familiar with, and develop a strategic approach to, university-level readings. You cannot expect a student to read anything unless they can identify an authentic 'why' that guides their reading. When a student begins to read with intention, they are more likely to take ownership of their words. We don’t read fast we read slow. We don’t read in isolation we read in a group.

PPE  100 

The Art of Critical Thinking

​

Sunday mornings are dedicated to critical thinking, a fundamental skill that enhances adaptability and resilience in the 21st-century job market. In an age characterized by uncertainty, distraction, and the rise of artificial intelligence as well as large language models such as ChatGPT and Gronk, we emphasize the value of in-person seminar discussions and the importance of long-form journalism. Our seminars are complemented by in-class writing exercises, facilitated by a dedicated Teaching Assistant. Why in-class? In the era of ChatGPT, incoming university students are expected to demonstrate an exceptionally high level of academic writing. PPE 100 picks up where the IB & AP Program leaves off. We also offer a weekly writing workshop, with all writing assignments adhering to UBC’s rigorous academic writing evaluation criteria.

​

Summer 2025.png

P R O G R A M

Screenshot 2023-07-11 at 8.48.45 AM.png
Screenshot 2023-07-11 at 8.48.55 AM.png
Testimonials

E-LEARNING

PPE  100 

The Art of Critical Thinking

​

This course is dedicated to critical thinking, a fundamental skill that enhances adaptability and resilience in the 21st-century job market. In an age characterized by uncertainty, distraction, and the rise of artificial intelligence as well as large language models such as ChatGPT and Gronk, we emphasize the value of in-person seminar discussions and the importance of long-form journalism. Our seminars are complemented by in-class writing exercises, facilitated by a dedicated Teaching Assistant. Why in-class? In the era of ChatGPT, incoming university students are expected to demonstrate an exceptionally high level of academic writing. PPE 100 picks up where the IB & AP Program leaves off. We also offer a weekly writing workshop, with all writing assignments adhering to UBC’s rigorous academic writing evaluation criteria.

If you reside outside Vancouver, or prefer to engage our seminars online, we now offer an on-line learning experience that features our complete course calendar, contact us for details.  

Julien Benda

"There are two sets of principles. They are the principles of power and privilege and the principles of truth and justice. If you pursue truth and justice it will always mean a diminution of power and privilege. If you pursue power and privilege it will always be at the expense of truth and justice." Julien Benda

bottom of page