Candidates are invited to enter an Essay Competition whose title is as follows;

“To what extent are superstitious beliefs, unsubstantiated claims and traditionalistic values responsible for undermining the intellectual, structural and moral development of the populace? How would a scientific, rational and naturalistic worldview alleviate the problems inherent in a highly superstitious society?”



Format

This competition is open to all students and non-students currently resident in Africa. Essays may be submitted by single individuals or as a team of no more than three persons. Where a team submission is made, evidence must be provided of all team members having made substantial contributions to the essay.

The essay should consist of no less than 5000 words and not exceeding 20,000 words and must include an abstract of about 500 words. All essays must be submitted in English and in electronic format, preferable in Microsoft Word document.

Credit will be awarded to essays that address all the main issues and that display a broad-ranging knowledge of the subject matter, including relevant use of reference materials (books, journals, internet resources). Additional credits will be given for originality, style and persuasiveness of reasoning and logic.

Registration for entrance

Registration of the competition must be received no later than 14th March 2008. All registration must be made by electronic form by sending a mail consisting of the following information to therationalist at yahoo.com;

Candidate’s name
Candidate’s date and place of Birth,
Candidate's address of residence

For team submissions, include all team members’ details, in addition to a team name. The first 20 entrants will receive a free copy of the book “The Age of Reason” by Thomas Paine. This book deals comprehensively with the main thrust of the essay and credit will be awarded for clever use of the material from “The Age of Reason”.

The final essay must be submitted by the 31st May 2008 and the results will be published on the 1st of July 2008.

Prizes

1st Prize: £300.00 (Three hundred Pounds Sterling)
2nd Prize: £150.00 (One-hundred and fifty Pounds Sterling)
3rd Prize; £75.00 (Seventy-five Pound Sterling)

All prizes will also include a selection of books by eminent scientists, philosophers and leading and influential intellectuals.

More Information

To request for more information on materials (books, journals, internet resources) that may be useful for the completion of the essay, send an email to therationalist at yahoo.com

About the Sponsor

This competition is sponsored by the African Institute for Rational Inquiry (AIRINQ). AIRINQ is dedicated to the rational investigation of mystical, religious, supernatural and superstitious claims, as well as the study of dogmatic and traditionalistic values and its contribution to societal development or underdevelopment. AIRINQ is also primarily concerned with promoting science education, critical thinking and philosophy and the development of a scientico-naturalistic worldview as the means of achieving human progress.

As Africans, you will be aware of the extend to which such claims affect the everyday life of Africans. AIRINQ is interested in investigating whether these claims can be justified in the light of natural scientific rationalism. AIRINQ holds the view that superstitious beliefs are instrumental in retarding intellectual development and advocates an approach grounded on critical thinking and scientific rationalism. AIRINQ believes that it is only by tackling the problems that handicap our thinking can we make intellectual progress.

The aim of the Essay Competition is to evaluate the extend to which African students are sympathetic to the ideas of critical/rational thinking, science and philosophy. So, this is a serious project and we would like to get as many participants as possible.

Note: If the deadline and scope appear too challenging, these can be amended with discussion with the sponsors.

Anybody interested?

i think i am interested in this.

i should write 5,000 words for a meagre 300 pounds?
this is so not cool

Any more interests?