“Is It Ever Wrong to do the Right Thing?”

THAT is this years question. 
The Great American Think-Off releases the 2009 essay and debate question "Is It Ever Wrong to do the Right Thing?"

The key to writing a successful essay is to ground your argument in personal experience. The judges are looking for essays that address this central problem of moral philosophy by speaking about personal experience rather than abstract philosophical reasoning. Tell a good story that shows a firm standing on one side or the other of this philosophical divide.

Entering the competition is easy. Just submit an essay of 750 words or less by April 1, 2009 (postmark date). You may send your essay in one of three ways: through the mail to Great American Think-Off, New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, P.O. Box 246, New York Mills, MN 56567 or email to nymills@kulcher.org (no attachments), or simply click on the online form submission button above.
A panel of judges will select four finalists to come to New York Mills, Minnesota for the final debate to be held June 13, 2009. The names of the four finalists, who each receive $500 plus travel, food and lodging expenses, will be announced May 1, 2009. The winner is decided by the audience attending the debate and she or he will be named "America's Greatest Thinker for 2009".

Celebrating its 17th year, the Great American Think-Off is a national philosophy competition providing an opportunity for ordinary people to voice their thoughts on some of life's more perplexing questions