Writing A Philosophical Paper

1) Choice of Topic/ThesisShould not be too broad to cover

thoroughly Should not be too narrow to be

worth covering Should not be so uncontentious

that hardly any reasonable person will disagree

Should not be so far-fetched that no argument can make it seem plausible

2) ToneBe Objective Do not use inflammatory

languageDon’t be indignant

3) Balance and Presentation Present your argument,

information, and evidenceDiscuss alternative views as well

◦What are their merits and downfalls

4) Organization of PaperOpening paragraph

◦Announces the task you are going to undertake

All transitions should be clear and smooth

5) Originality DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!

◦Plagiarism is using another’s words (or wording close to it), or ideas, allowing the reader to believe/think /conclude that they are your words and/or ideas

Always cite your sources ◦Any information, thoughts, or

borrowed wording you used

6) Accuracy Use precise language

◦So as not to misrepresent information

◦Either your own ideas or someone else’s

7) Use of Language Use correct grammar and

spelling Use proper punctuation Avoid obscure language, phrases,

and sentences Be preciseReview, edit, and rewrite your

paper

8) Clarity Make sure you have clear

sentences ◦And ideas

9) Consistency Make sure there are no

contradictions in your thought

10) Strength of Argument Offer reasons in support of your

thesis ◦That a clear thinking, unbiased

person would find persuasive

11) Research Use credible sources Use enough research information

to justify your claimsUse research that is relevant to

your topic

Types of Philosophy Papers

1) Thesis Defense Paper About stating a position and

giving reasons for believing it is true ◦E.g. an ethics claim/thesis

“Major corporations have a moral obligation to repair the environmental damage they have done.”

Use reliable evidence and strong reasoning in defense of your thesis.

2) Compare-And-Contrast-PapersShowing how two views, books,

or philosophies differ and how they are alike.

3) Research PaperA survey of important views that

have been written on a specific topic.

4) Summary Papers A restatement of another’s

view(s) in your own words.

5) Explanatory PapersGoes beyond a summery. It’s meant to illuminate another’s

view(s) through the use of analogies, examples, and/or comparisons.

Philosophy Topics and

Sample Paper Topics

1) EthicsThe study of moral rights and

responsibilities. ◦Sample Topics

1) The moral obligation of major corporations, why they have them, and/or what they are.

2) Is abortion ever morally justifiable? 3) Human equality and the right to

marriage. 4) End of life issues.

2) Political Philosophy The study of political rights and

obligations; the study of social justice.◦Sample Topics.

1) What should one do when one’s conscience conflicts with law?

2) What constitutes a just law? 3) Where does the responsibility lie when

it comes to feeding, and housing the homeless?

Metaphysics/OntologyThe study of theories of reality.

◦Sample Topics: 1) Quantitative and qualitative accounts

of nature in the pre-Socratic philosophers;

2) Ancient and modern atomism; 3) Does metaphysics have to be

scientific? 4) The mind and body problem.

Epistemology The study of how humans can

know, the kinds of knowledge, and the possibility of certainty ◦Sample Topics:

1) Circularity in Descartes’s Meditations; 2) The subjectivity of scientific

knowledge; 3) The merging together of rationalism

and empiricism to gain knowledge and understanding.

Philosophy of Religion The study of problems of

knowledge and truth in religion.◦Sample Topics:

1) Can the existence of God be proven empirically?

2) Are there rational justifications for atheism?

3) If God exist, what type of God is S/He, and what are the human implications?

A Thesis Defense Paper

Developing A Thesis

Thesis From an ancient Greek word

meaning Stand or Position It’s a particular stand or position you

take on an issue.Your thesis statement should be

stated in your opening paragraph(s). ◦The first or second paragraph

The rest of your paper needs to show why your position is correct or reasonable.

Opening and Closing Paragraphs

Formal Opening Paragraph(s)Formal opening paragraphs

should help the reader anticipate the reasoning that will be offered in your paper◦A) State your thesis (make it clear)◦B) Show how you intend to support

your thesis

Formal Closing Paragraph(s) A) They go back to the opening

paragraph showing that you have done what you said you were going to do.

B) It refers to the body of the paper showing that you did establish what you said you were going to establish.

The Body Of The Paper A) The structure of the paper should

reflect the preview you gave in your opening paragraph(s).

B) Use Roman Numerals for the various sections of your paper.◦For each point.

C) Use transition phrases to call attention to shifts in your paper. ◦E.g. “The third, and final argument in support

of my thesis is this …” D) Make sure to use good, clear

reasoning.

ToneA) Don’t attempt to sell your

ideas using overblown rhetoric.B) Use good reasoning.C) Use reliable insight.D) Sounding sure of yourself is

not equal to sounding reasonable. E) Don’t fabricate facts.F) Don’t treat the views of other’s

unfairly.

Premises and Conclusions

Premise A statement of evidenceAn observation, or claim, offered

in support of the point to be proven.

Premise Indicators Expressions that often precede

and serve to announce a premise. ◦The most common premise

indicators are Since, and Because

◦Phrases such as, “Due to the fact that”, and “For the following reasons, also introduce

premises.

ConclusionA statement for which evidence

has been offered. ◦Your thesis statement is a

conclusion.

Conclusion Indicators Expressions that often precede

and serve to announce a conclusion are ◦So, Thus, Therefore, and

Consequently Less common indicators are

◦Hence, ◦As this leads us to the conclusion

that, And

◦It follows that