The second day of university entrance exams brought with it a tense calm, especially for those who opted for the humanities. While in the science classrooms the atmosphere was one of pure frustration after a somewhat convoluted math test, those who faced the The history of philosophy students left with a smile. From ear to ear. And no wonder, since the authors who appeared in the top choices were old acquaintances who had been thoroughly studied throughout the school year.
The general murmur outside the faculties agreed that the exam was quite manageable, allowing students to shine without too much trouble. Unlike previous years, when ambiguity reigned in the questions, this time they were direct, which allowed them to Many students will finish early. with the feeling of having done their homework. This subject, which usually causes cold sweats, became the oasis of a day marked by the typical nerves of the university entrance exams.
Plato and Nussbaum: the pillars of the proof
One of the day's star texts was from Plato's 'The Republic,' an author who never disappoints and is usually a favorite among high school students. Its inclusion was received as a true blessing, since his theory of Forms and the organization of the State are concepts that are repeated ad nauseam in class. The examiners noted that, although the content was not overly complex, writing and summarization skills This will be what makes the difference between a passing grade and an excellent grade to get into the most sought-after careers.
On the other hand, the inclusion of Martha Nussbaum's work, 'Creating Capabilities,' provided a contemporary and necessary touch to the test. It is noteworthy that there is a continued commitment to giving visibility to female philosophers, with Nussbaum being one of the most powerful voices today. The students had to analyze her proposals on social justice, which allowed them to connecting classical thinking with problems realities of our century, something that examiners are increasingly valuing in the new competency model.
The coincidence of Nietzsche and the papal visit
The most talked-about topic in the hallways, which some considered almost a bad joke, was the question about Nietzsche's statement 'God is dead'. The curious thing is that this analysis has coincided perfectly with the official visit of Pope Leo XIV to the Catalan capital. While the young people reflected on nihilism and the loss of traditional values ​​in the West, the Pope walked the streets in a contrast that did not go unnoticed by anyone and that flooded social networks with jokes and memes.
Beyond the anecdote, the exercise asked students to compare the views of religion and metaphysics from the perspective of two different authors. In other regions, such as Castile and León, the approach varied slightly towards figures like Aristotle or the humanism of Marx, but the general theme remained the same: to foster critical thinking in students in the face of major currents of thought. Teachers agree that these types of questions allow them to see if the student has truly understood the evolution of the ideas or if they have simply memorized entire paragraphs.
In terms of statistics, philosophy has gained ground this year, being chosen by almost 55% of enrolled students compared to traditional history. This shift reflects that students feel more comfortable analyzing texts than memorizing dates and battles. Despite the strict controls against the use of mobile phones And despite any possible external distractions, the day went by completely normally, leaving a generally good feeling before facing the last day of exams.
The final assessment of this competition suggests that critical thinking has emerged stronger, solidifying its position as a subject where young people can demonstrate their intellectual maturity. After analyzing Plato's theories and tackling Nussbaum's challenge, the prevailing feeling is that The effort of these past months has been worth it. The penalty, closing an intense study cycle with a test that, although demanding in its form, has been rewarding in its content for the vast majority of university applicants.