Philosophy Workshop: Rhea and Jigar from Room of children's philosophies
On 17 September 2026, we took part in a two-hour Snakes and Ladders philosophy session, a welcome break from statutes and case law that gave us space to reflect on ourselves and pose philosophical questions to our peers. We sat in a circle and played the game, and each time someone landed on a snake or a ladder, they were given a relatable scenario and asked to decide whether the conduct it described was a virtue or a vice. Each person explained their view, and the others responded with gentle questions to test that reasoning. The aim was inquiry, not confrontation.
One scenario asked what we would do if we discovered that a scholarship had been awarded to us by mistake, because of two extra marks, and that owning up would mean losing it. This raised questions of fairness to the rightful recipient, and of whether staying silent is itself a form of dishonesty. Many scenarios, like this one, had no clear answer. The same conduct could be read as a virtue or a vice depending on context and intent, which showed how thin the line between the two can be.
Throughout the session, we were encouraged to think differently. Hearing a peer defend the opposite position often made us reconsider our own, and the questions pushed us to examine each scenario from angles we had not considered, moving us beyond our first instincts. The session also helped us get more in touch with ourselves. Answering honestly meant confronting what we truly value and how we might actually act, rather than how we would like to act. That kind of self-reflection is rare in a busy academic schedule.
Overall, the session was thoughtful and well structured, and a genuinely valuable addition to our routine.
