Wm. H. Fink Information page

William H. Fink Award

Each year the Department holds a competition for the William H. Fink award, which carries a cash prize (currently $1,000). The prize is awarded in recognition of an outstanding graduate student essay in philosophy.Papers submitted for the Fink competition are expected to be presentations of original, sustained philosophical arguments—or original, insightful criticisms of published material. The papers should exhibit the philosophical quality and polish in execution one finds in credible submissions to good philosophy journals. Awards need not be made every year.

THE WILLIAM H. FINK AWARD

FOR BEST

GRADUATE ESSAY IN PHILOSOPHY

The William H. Fink Award will be presented again this year for the winning entry in an essay competition open only to graduate students currently enrolled in the Philosophy Department. Essays submitted for this competition may be on any philosophical topic. Papers written for courses, specifically for this occasion, sections of dissertations, and papers submitted for publication may be entered in the competition, provided they are self-contained. In accordance with the wishes of Dr. Fink, who endowed this award, entries will be judged on the basis of originality, style, and the degree to which they exemplify high standards of reasoning.

Rules governing the competition:

1.    The competition is open to all currently enrolled Philosophy graduate students, except previous first-place winners.

2.    Only one paper may be submitted by an eligible student. 

3.    The paper must be substantially different from papers submitted by the same author for previous Fink competitions.

4.    The paper must be typed, double-spaced and may not exceed 7,750 words of text and footnotes. The pages must be numbered and the title should appear at the top of the first page. The paper has to be prepared for a blind review: i.e., the name of the author should not be evident anywhere in the paper (including footnotes). Also, prepare a separate cover 

5.    Please submit electronically a .pdf copy of the paper and a .pdf copy of the cover sheet to: Michelle (brown.930@osu.edu).  Notice that these should be separate .pdf files. Also, when you create the .pdf file of the paper make sure to leave the author’s line blank. 

6.     THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Friday, March 25, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m.

7.       The award ceremony will Monday, April 22nd at 3:30 p.m.

The entries will be judged by a faculty committee consisting of Professors Tennant, D'Arms, and Kraut.

Cash Awards 

The award of $1,000 will be presented, and the winning paper will be read and discussed at a special departmental colloquium. Honorable mention awardee will receive $250. 

More information about William H. Fink.