Philosophy Students Explore 'Big Questions'

Summer program is part of a broader effort to expand school offerings.

Baltimore, Md.

At just 14 years old, Edward Gilliam has already decided he wants to major in philosophy when he goes to college.

He got interested in the subject when he took a philosophy class last summer—and he’s taking a second course, on ethics, this year—that inspired him to think deeply about life’s compelling questions.

“I like all the big questions—the questions most people don’t care about,” Mr. Gilliam said recently during a break from the class here developed by the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University. “What is truth? What...