Mexico City, November 6, 2026.— What does it mean to be free? This question was the focus of the 22nd Essay Contest Plumas Noveles2026, organized by the Faculty of Philosophy of the Universidad Panamericana. During the awards ceremony, held in the Aula Magna on the Mixcoac campus, participants shared their reflections on freedom, personal decisions, and the challenges posed by technology in contemporary life.
One of the most significant aspects of this edition was the discovery of a common theme running through the various essays: freedom not only from external circumstances, but also from our own constraints. In particular, several participants addressed how technological advances can influence our ability to make decisions and think for ourselves.
AI and Social Media: New Challenges for Freedom
Social media, infinite scroll , and artificial intelligence were some of the topics covered in the essays. Participants reflected on how these tools can shape our habits, decisions, and ways of relating to the world.
The perspectives presented covered a range of topics: from historical reflections on the meaning of freedom to philosophical approaches to essence and existence.
Through references to thinkers such as Ortega y Gasset and Jean-Paul Sartre, the participants engaged in a conversation that, despite the diversity of approaches, converged on a fundamental question: How much of our lives do we truly choose, and how much do we let others, our circumstances, or even technology choose for us?
Winners of the 22nd "Plumas Noveles" Essay Contest 2026
The quality of the entries and the depth of their arguments made this edition one of the most competitive. After evaluating the submitted essays, the following winners were announced:
- First place: Lourdes Angélica Silva Rojas and Maximiliano Gómez Vázquez.
- Second place: Dayna Dueñas Reyes.
- Third place: Ana Gorraez Correa.
Beyond the accolades, the essays stood out for their authors’ ability to question their surroundings and develop their own perspective on the challenges facing their generation.
Philosophy as an Invitation to Question Our World
Youth Participation in Plumas Novelesdemonstrates the relevance of philosophical reflection and its importance in understanding the challenges of the present. Far from remaining indifferent to the circumstances of their time, the contestants question them, analyze them, and dare to take a stand.
To all participants, the School of Philosophy at the Universidad Panamericana thanks all participants for their ideas and reflections, which remind us that philosophy is, above all, an invitation to question what we take for granted.
We look forward to seeing you very soon in the classrooms of our school.
