PLATO
Shorter philosophical essays
600–1,000 words
A space for a single, well-made argument. Begin with a question that matters to you, take a position, and give your reasons with clarity.
Submissions
Send us an argument worth reading.
Issue 01 opens on December 5, 2026. Whether you are encountering philosophy for the first time or developing an argument of your own, there is a place for your work here.
Submissions open December 5, 2026
Submissions open December 5, 2026 · 12:00 AM ET and close March 31, 2027 · 11:59 PM ET. Nothing is being accepted before then.
Issue 01 Timeline
- Submissions open
- December 5, 2026 · 12:00 AM ET
- Submission deadline
- March 31, 2027 · 11:59 PM ET
- Publication target
- Summer 2027
Submission Tracks
Two ways to write
SOCRATES
Extended philosophical essays
1,000–2,000 words
Room to develop an idea at length: state your thesis, reason through it carefully, and take seriously the strongest objections to your view.
Submission Guidelines
Format requirements are short. The standard we care about is the argument.
- Upload your essay as a PDF (.pdf) or Word document (.docx).
- 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced.
- Bibliographies and references do not count toward the word count.
- Chicago, MLA, and APA citation styles are all accepted.
- Submissions must be original, unpublished work. Plagiarism and fabricated references are not permitted.
- Leave your name and school off the manuscript itself, so it can be read without identifying you.
Originality and academic integrity
Everything we publish must be the author’s own work. Plagiarism, invented citations, and essays substantially written by someone else are grounds for rejection. If you have drawn on a teacher, a friend, or a source, say so where it belongs — in the argument and in your references.
The Review Process
01
Receipt
We confirm the file opens and that it meets the format and word-count requirements for the track you chose.
02
Reading
Your essay is read without your name attached, and assessed for clarity, coherence, originality, and philosophical depth.
03
Decision
We write to you with a decision, and offer feedback where our readers are able to provide it.
Submissions are read by our student editorial team, with academic guidance as that becomes confirmed. We do not claim partnerships or faculty involvement that we cannot substantiate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anything still unresolved is flagged as such rather than guessed at.
Submit Your Work