A philosophy paper consists
of the reasoned defense of some claim
.
Your paper must offer an argument
. It can't consist in the mere report of your opinions, nor in a mere report of the opinions of the philosophers we discuss. You have to defend the claims you make. You have to offer reasons to believe them.
What should a philosophy paper look like?
a
clear, concise introduction
that states what the paper will argue and how. several arguments in favor of your position. These arguments should be fully developed, i.e., you should anticipate and refute possible counter-arguments to your points.
How do you make a philosophical paper?
- Organize carefully. Before you start to write make an outline of how you want to argue. …
- Use the right words. …
- Support your claims. …
- Give credit. …
- Anticipate objections. …
- Edit boldly.
What kind of paper is a philosophy paper?
Thesis Papers
A thesis paper
is the basic form of most papers in philosophy. In such a paper you will present a view and defend it by giving arguments and responding to objections. It is important to note that arguments are the currency of philosophy: you should give reasons that provide clear support for your view.
What is the purpose of a philosophy paper?
The overall purpose of your paper is
to defend
, by means of rational argument, an interesting and clearly stated philosophical thesis, relating to a topic from the course, that you think is true (or at least has a decent shot at being true).
What is a philosophical question?
The result is a definition of philosophical questions as
questions whose answers are in principle open to informed, rational, and honest disagreement, ultimate but not absolute, closed under further questioning
, possibly constrained by empirical and logico-mathematical resources, but requiring noetic resources to be …
Can you say I in a philosophy paper?
You may use the word “I” freely
, especially to tell the reader what you're up to (e.g., “I've just explained why… Now I'm going to consider an argument that…”). Don't worry about using the verb “is” or “to be” too much. In a philosophy paper, it's OK to use this verb as much as you need to.
What are examples of philosophy?
Philosophy is a set of ideals, standards or beliefs used to describe behavior and thought. An example of philosophy is
Buddhism
. The study of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning.
How do you end a philosophy paper?
The basic purpose of
your conclusion
is to restate your thesis and summarize your argument, but it should not just be a copy of your introduction. In your conclusion, you should make a final effort to convince the reader that you have both established your thesis and offered a cogent argument in its defense.
How do you write a philosophy paper in one night?
- #1. Don't even consider plagiarizing.
- #2. Think about a thesis statement.
- #3. Do a short brainstorming session.
- #4. Prepare an outline, i.e., a detailed plan for your paper.
- #5. Be concise.
- #6. Proofread.
Do philosophy papers have titles?
Choose a title that refers to the theme or content of your paper fairly specifically
—not something like “First Paper” or “Philosophy Paper.” Center this title above the beginning of the text of your paper. Print your paper in black 12-point type, double-spaced, with margins of 1.25 or 1.5 inches.
Are philosophy papers MLA or APA?
Citation Style for Philosophy
There is no one standard citation style used for research papers in Philosophy. Commonly used styles are
Chicago, MLA, or APA
.
How do you read a philosophy paper?
- Skim the Article to Find its Conclusion and Get a Sense of its Structure.
- Go Back and Read the Article Carefully.
- Evaluate the Author's Arguments.
What is philosophy in your own words?
Philosophy is
the study or creation of theories
about basic things such as the nature of existence, knowledge, and thought, or about how people should live. … A philosophy is a particular set of ideas that a philosopher has.
What is a philosophy of writing?
In this context, a philosophy of writing refers
to understanding and reflecting on your writing
, with the goal of improving it. … We often talk about the right time to write or how much one should write per day, and for good reason: These are crucial aspects of writing. But they're not the only ones.
Why is philosophy so important?
The study of philosophy helps us
to enhance our ability to solve problems
, our communication skills, our persuasive powers, and our writing skills. Below is a description of how philosophy helps us develop these various important skills.
