Saint Paul students prove to be deep thinkers

Saint Paul students prove to be deep thinkers
5/27/2005 11:55 AM

Rachel Hamaty, a 3rd grader at Capitol Hill Magnet, created this piece of art for the annual Philosophy Slam. She was named the second most philosophical 2nd Grader in America.

Three Saint Paul Public Schools students were recently named among the most philosophical in America at the annual Kids Philosophy Slam, held in Lanesboro, Minn.

Judges chose the most philosophical students from across the nation based on their answers to the question of which is more important, truth or beauty. Saint Paul students answered the question through poetry, art and essay.

Andrew Hanson, a Capitol Hill Magnet student, was named Most Philosophical 2nd Grader in America. He answered the question through poetry:

Truth is a bird waiting to be set free.
Truth is a key waiting to open the door to happiness.
Truth is a building standing tall.
Truth is a plane flying high.
Truth is not there if you tell lies too much.

Rachel Hamaty, a student at Capitol Hill Magnet, placed second amongst third-graders. Hamaty says beauty trumps truth because "it gives happiness to people. Beauty in a family is the love they have for each other. Beauty is in words where people say nice things to each other and it helps them feel beautiful inside. Beauty is nature and sunshine and all the glory it has."

Audrey Berdahl-Baldwin, a Capitol Hill Magnet student, placed fifth among fifth graders when she chose truth over beauty. Her essay follows.

The importance of truth
The truth is something that is established as a fact that people realize by experience, observation, or the scientific method. We know 2+2=4 regardless of your culture, political beliefs, gender and so on. Since the hunt of scientific knowledge is continuing, the truth is something that is understood differently over time. As we keep learning more about the truth we also discover that there are more answers to things than we can ever imagine. As we realize that the scientific method is a process that seeks the truth, we understand that truth is a natural goal that we have not fully achieved. Non-scientific observation and experience that seeks truth, has been a powerful source shaping the history of cultures, political systems, laws and religion. While culture and ideas vary greatly, common understanding amongst most or all people can also give us assurance that we are on the path of truth. An example of this might be to say it's true that human experience and observation says this is true. Another wonderful example is from the declaration of Independence, "we hold these truths to be self evident". In accepting truth this way, as an understanding that could apply to all people, the pursuit of truth holds the promise of global harmony. The power of truth is beautiful. Even when the truth of some situation is terrible, common ground in understanding it is important. The recent tsunami was devastating to many people. The widespread understanding that this is true is what motivates the response from around the world. The path of truth leads to inclusion, compassion, and peace.