Writing philosophy should not be easy, but you cannot allow it to become impossible. Here are five strategic rules of thumb for embarking on a successful writing project for philosophy class:
- Choose a manageable philosophical topic. It should be neither too obvious to be worth writing about nor too obscure to interest anyone; neither too broad in scope nor too limited.
- Know when to narrow and when to enlarge your scope. If you are in doubt, sketch a high-level outline. If you cannot get beyond the first two roman numerals (major topics) in that outline, you need to go bigger. If, however, your major topics go on and on, you should narrow and sharpen your focus. Take into account any page limits or word count ranges your instructor may have specified.
- Define novel approaches to familiar topics. Remember, the essence of philosophy is in ordinary things that few people think about. Look for new and interesting angles on the subjects that most folks take for granted.
- Be a contrarian. Philosophers heed the original corporate motto of Apple Computer: “Think different.” Take a common assumption and formulate its contrary. For instance: Low prices sell more products. Consider arguing instead: Higher prices sell more of certain products.
- Question everything: Dig to the root of any philosophical discussion and you will eventually reach a question. Questions are the seeds of philosophical thought and, therefore, philosophical writing. Question everything
WRITING AS “DOING” PHILOSOPHY
Any subject or field philosophy touches can be written about—although it is true that some philosophical disciplines, such as mathematical and symbolic logic and semiotics (the study of semiosis, or sign process) often venture beyond conventional (“ordinary”) language. Conversely, with the exceptions noted, writing can “do” all categories of philosophy. Writing is the primary instrument of philosophy
Depending on your interests and the demands of your philosophy class or classes, you may choose to do philosophy by writing a paper in the areas of
- Ethics
- Personal ethics. What should guide the behavior of the individual?
- Public and political ethics. What should guide public policy and those who create and implement it?
- Government and politics
- Nature of government. This is the subject of Plato’s Republic, history’s first great philosophical treatise on the proper basis, aims, and form of government and society.
- Public policy issues. What principles should guide the creation and execution of public policy (with a focus on specific issues of importance)?
- Legal philosophy
- Applying ethics to a law or legal problem. How can philosophical principles be used to guide the writing of laws and the enforcement of law as well as the just resolution of legal issues?
- The ethics of breaking the law. Under what circumstances is it permissible or even imperative to break the law?
- Mind and epistemology
- Historical essay. Write about one or more of the philosophers who explored the nature of mind, knowing, and knowledge.
- Critical essay on a particular philosopher of mind. Investigate the thought of a specific philosopher on some aspect of mind through an expository or argumentative essay.
- Compare and contrast epistemological theories.
- Problems posed by artificial intelligence. The digital world has opened up a whole new aspect of mind science and epistemology. How are philosophers responding?
- Art and popular culture
- Historical essay on aesthetics. Tastes change. Why? Good question. Write about it.
- Critical essay on a work of art, literature, or film based on a specific theory of aesthetics. Ground your aesthetic opinion in philosophical principles.
- Problems in aesthetic criticism. What is beauty? What is sublimity? What is tragedy? What is comedy?
- Science
- Philosophical approach to a specific science. Ask philosophical questions about aspects of scientific insight and method.
- Relationship between philosophy and science. Science was once a subordinate branch of philosophy. The modern relationship between philosophy and science remains fertile ground for a writer
SOME TOPICS FOR PHILOSOPHY ESSAYS
- Should people always obey the law?
- Is speeding immoral?
- What is loneliness?
- What is the most difficult ethical decision you have ever made? Why?
- What is the perfect life?
- Truth is relative. Support or refute.
- Democracy is the best form of government. Support or refute.
- Utopia is possible. Support or refute.
- Should organized religion be involved in politics?
- Is euthanasia ethical?
- Is morality objective or subjective?
- Freedom of speech should be without limit. Support or refute.
- Can murder be justified?
- Abortion is a human right. Support or refute.
- Is torture ever ethical?
- Can science and religion coexist in terms of epistemology?
- Animal experimentation is unethical. Support or refute.
- Is artificial intelligence really intelligence?
- Is human cloning ethical?
- Is honesty necessary?
- Is lying ever justified?
- Is patriotism a virtue?
- Is marriage obsolete?
- Law x does more harm than good. Support or refute.
- George Orwell’s Animal Farm is useless as political criticism. Support or refute.
- George Orwell’s Animal Farm is valuable as political criticism. Support or refute.
- “I think, therefore I am” is obviously true. Support or refute.
- “I think, therefore I am” is obviously untrue. Support or refute.
- “I think, therefore I am” proves nothing. Support or refute.
- Mind and body are separate. Support or refute.
- “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all” is true. Support or refute.
- “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all” is false. Support or refute.
