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2021 Winner: Nicholas Duguay


Nicholas Duguay
is completing an Honours degree in Philosophy at Concordia University, where he also studied Mandarin. His primary interests in philosophy are in liberal theory and its critiques (from both Western and other philosophical traditions). In particular, Nicholas is interested in the state and its legitimacy, as well as in the debate between neutralists and perfectionists over whether the state can (and/or should) promote certain conceptions of the good. Beyond the classroom, Nicholas enjoys writing poetry and songs, cycling, and spending time with his family.

Download the 2021 paper, The Problem of Stability: A Case for Civic Friendship in the Rawlsian Society.

2021 Short List

Congratulations to the the following applicants whose papers were short listed for the Keenan Prize this year:

  • Eleanor Hamilton from Concordia University – Putting the Judge in Prejudice
  • Tyler Paetkau from University of Alberta – Environmental Racism and the Capabilities Approach to Justice: Private Member Bill C-230 and the Necessity of Self-Determination for Marginalized Communities
  • Ariel LaFayette from the University of Toronto – An Existentialist Challenge to Karl Marx’s Vision of Jewish Emancipation
  • Parmida Saemiyan from Simon Fraser University – The Problem of Irrationality for Democratic Essentialism

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