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100+ Philosophy Research Paper Topics

One of the most difficult tasks philosophy students faces each year is in having to come up with a philosophy topic to write a paper on. Students can get notifications of big projects months ahead of time and then spend weeks trying to figure out whether their philosophy essay topics are good enough to earn a good grade.

We get it. It’s hard to pull this task together with schedules and responsibilities. This is why we work to find philosophical topics that are current and relatable. We stick to important issues that are at the forefront of the discipline and bring them to you in one convenient philosophical topic for the essay list.

Finding the right philosophy topics can turn regular assignments into A+-winning assignments and we’ve done the work to help you and hundreds of other students get started with these philosophy paper topics. Here are our top 100 philosophy topics for the current school year:

Argumentative Philosophy Research Paper Topics

• Do people naturally have good and bad qualities?
• Do we need family support to find happiness?
• How humans can be happy without reproduction?
• What is the definitive explanation of happiness?
• Do most people feel they aren’t living their full lives?
• Would you marry for money if it meant you could never be happy?
• Would you like to live your life more than once?
• Would you rather work vocationalation job or a high-paying job?
• Are personalities unique or are they just template?
• Do you think that it is moral to follow all the rules?

Good Philosophy Paper Topics for All Levels

• Does one need to lead a moral life to achieve happiness?
• Why do people find life harder than expected?
• Which is the better teacher? Experience or learning?
• Do people always do what they want at that moment?
• Is truth universal or does it change because of perspective?
• Do animals have a better sense of morals than humans?
• Can people gain an education without proper schooling?
• Does one need to be literate to understand philosophy?
• Which ie preferable? Determinism or Free Will?
• Is capital punishment ethical in today’s world?

Controversial Topics in Philosophy

• How does society shape a person’s life and beliefs?
• Do you need a lot of money to live a rich life?
• Why are some people living without actually experiencing things?
• Is spiritual power more important than free will?
• Do genetics play a bigger role in the way people behave?
• What impact does the word “love” have on positivity?
• What is the real reason we live our lives?
• Is it possible to form a perfect world?
• Do religion and philosophy contradict one another?
• Can a world exist without laws or regulations?

Fun Philosophy Paper Topics for High School

• What would be your form ideal government?
• What are the different ways in which humans understand each other?
• How is the concept of happiness defined by different philosophers?
• Is existence simply a dream experienced by a larger being?
• If you can spend a week in any period, which would it be?
• Are we alone in our galaxy or are there other intelligent life forms?
• What does it mean to have free will versus determinism?
• If you can change one thing from your past, what would it be?
• Does religion limit our abilities to explore the meaning of life?
• What does it mean to be loved or to love others?

Topics for Philosophy Paper on the Classics

• What does it mean to understand our universe?
• Does happiness come from our actions toward others?
• Are our thoughts evidence that we exist?
• What is the definition of evil as it relates to the modern world?
• Could societies exist without laws and regulations?
• Are people born good or evil or are they raised to be one or the other?
• Is torture a justifiable form of punishment?
• How can past leaders influence today’s youth positively?
• Is beauty truly in the eye of the beholder?
• Can we refocus our minds to think more positively?

Easy Philosophy Paper Topics for High School

• What does it mean to be moral in today’s world?
• Can wars be justified if it supports the greater population?
• What does it mean to be a postmodern philosopher?
• What are today’s most important life values?
• What is the current perspective on the definition of loneliness?
• How does one prepare for life after death?
• Would you like to repeat your life with full knowledge of the prior?
• Does something better than nothing always lead to benefits?
• Do people choose to suffer or is it a feeling beyond our control?
• Should people have to right to die by suicide?

Philosophy Topics to Write About Quickly

• Do we exist in some form after death?
• Do supernatural entities exist in the world?
• Are video games negatively impacting people’s moral values?
• How does one boost his or her ability to be creative?
• Is it important to spend your entire life learning?
• What does it mean to be mentally conscious?
• What is the definition of loneliness and have you experienced it?
• What are the most important character traits for leaders to have?
• Does one need a lot of money to be considered rich?
• Are we alone in the universe or is there another life?

Philosophical Topics for Essays on Current Issues

• Are parents responsible for how their children behave?
• Are the U.S. and U.K. meritocratic societies?
• Has social media had an impact on people’s morals?
• Do you agree with the notion that love only exists for 3 years?
• Are humans more likely to cause trouble because of boredom?
• Is capital punishment morally justified in modern society?
• Do humans have the same ideas about what is right and what is wrong?
• How does death affect how humans view life?
• Is it complicated to live a life of happiness?
• Should teenagers be given the responsibility to make their own choices?

Philosophy Thesis Topics for a Big Project

• Do religion and the belief in God change a person’s behavior?
• Are Machiavellian ideals still relevant in today’s government?
• Is animal experimentation ever justified to protect humans?
• What are the pros and cons of a utilitarian society?
• What are the pros and cons of a communist government?
• Why are humans the only species to be violent?
• Is economic justice more important than legal justice?
• Should women have univerabortion rightstion?
• What impact did the 20th-century wave of philosophy have on the U.S.?
• How do you know that you are different from other people?

Philosophy Research Paper Topics

• What are the tendencies we see most in humans?
• Are our morals connected to or influenced by culture?
• Would you live your life a second time?
• Should religion have a voice in a nation’s government?
• What do you think makes for an ideal society?
• Are truths relative to specific situations or circumstances?
• What is the most important aspect to gain human knowledge?
• What is something that veritably upsets you?
• What is something in your life that you would like to change?
• What is the most effective way to increase one’s IQ?

Getting a good grade on a philosophy research paper requires you to consider several different options and narrow down those options to a topic you feel you can conduct complete philosophy research on. The topic should also be something that interests you and verges into new areas in the discipline and area of study. This can be a difficult task for many students, so we create custom philosophy research topics to suit every situation. If you can’t find a topic you like from this list, just give us a call, email us, or send us a message via chat. We can direct you to a qualified philosophy expert writer to create a custom list of philosophical ideas to fit your assignment needs.

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• A Research Guide
• Essay Topics

120 Philosophy Essay Topics

How to choose a topic for your philosophy essay:.

Philosophy Argumentative Essay Topics:

• The existence of God: Can the existence of a higher power be proven or disproven?
• The problem of evil: How can the existence of evil be reconciled with the concept of a benevolent God?
• Free will vs determinism: Are our actions predetermined or do we have the freedom to choose?
• The nature of reality: Is reality objective or subjective?
• The mind-body problem: Is the mind separate from the body, or are they one and the same?
• Ethical relativism vs ethical absolutism: Are moral values relative or are there universal moral truths?
• The nature of consciousness: What is consciousness and how does it arise?
• The concept of personal identity: What defines our sense of self and continuity over time?
• The problem of induction: Can we justify our beliefs based on past experiences and observations?
• The nature of knowledge: What is knowledge and how do we acquire it?
• The philosophy of mind: Can machines or artificial intelligence possess consciousness?
• The nature of beauty: Is beauty subjective or objective?
• The ethics of euthanasia: Is it morally permissible to end someone’s life to alleviate suffering?
• The ethics of animal rights: Do animals have rights and how should they be treated?
• The philosophy of science: What is the nature of scientific knowledge and how does it differ from other forms of knowledge?

Philosophy Persuasive Essay Topics:

• The existence of free will: Determinism vs libertarianism
• The ethical implications of artificial intelligence
• The nature of consciousness: Materialism vs dualism
• The problem of evil: Can an all-powerful and benevolent God coexist with evil?
• The ethics of animal rights: Should animals have the same moral status as humans?
• The concept of personal identity: Is the self defined by physical or psychological continuity?
• The morality of euthanasia: Should individuals have the right to choose when to end their lives?
• The nature of knowledge: Can we truly know anything with certainty?
• The ethics of genetic engineering: Should we manipulate the genetic makeup of humans and other organisms?
• The philosophy of mind: Can machines ever possess consciousness?
• The morality of capital punishment: Is it ever justified to take a life as punishment for a crime?
• The problem of induction: Can we rely on past experiences to make predictions about the future?
• The ethics of abortion: When does personhood begin and what are the rights of the fetus?
• The philosophy of time: Is time an illusion or a fundamental aspect of reality?

Philosophy Compare and Contrast Essay Topics:

• Dualism vs Materialism: Examining the nature of mind and body
• Rationalism vs Empiricism: Contrasting approaches to acquiring knowledge
• Utilitarianism vs Deontology: Evaluating ethical theories on the basis of consequences and moral duties
• Existentialism vs Nihilism: Exploring the meaning of life and existence
• Plato’s Theory of Forms vs Aristotle’s Theory of Substance: Comparing their views on the nature of reality
• Determinism vs Free Will: Analyzing the compatibility of human freedom and determinism
• Hedonism vs Stoicism: Contrasting philosophies on achieving happiness and fulfillment
• Egoism vs Altruism: Examining self-interest versus concern for others in ethical decision-making
• Epistemological Relativism vs Objectivism: Evaluating the nature of truth and knowledge
• Aesthetics of Beauty vs Aesthetics of Sublime: Comparing different approaches to appreciating art and beauty
• Social Contract Theory vs Natural Law Theory: Contrasting views on the origin and legitimacy of political authority
• Feminism vs Postmodernism: Analyzing different perspectives on gender, power, and identity
• Idealism vs Realism: Examining different ontological views on the nature of reality
• Pragmatism vs Essentialism: Contrasting approaches to understanding the essence and purpose of things
• Eastern Philosophy vs Western Philosophy: Comparing and contrasting different philosophical traditions and their core concepts

Philosophy Informative Essay Topics:

• The concept of free will and determinism: Exploring the debate between human agency and predestination
• The philosophy of mind: Examining the mind-body problem and different theories of consciousness
• Ethics and moral relativism: Analyzing the idea that moral principles are subjective and vary across cultures
• The nature of reality: Investigating different metaphysical theories, such as idealism, materialism, and dualism
• The philosophy of language: Exploring the relationship between language, thought, and reality
• The problem of evil: Examining the existence of evil in a world governed by an all-powerful and benevolent God
• The philosophy of science: Analyzing the nature of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
• The concept of identity: Investigating the philosophical questions surrounding personal identity and the self
• The philosophy of aesthetics: Exploring the nature of beauty, art, and the role of aesthetics in our lives
• The philosophy of religion: Examining different arguments for and against the existence of God
• The philosophy of time: Analyzing the nature of time, its relation to causality, and the possibility of time travel
• The philosophy of education: Investigating different theories of education and their implications for teaching and learning
• The philosophy of technology: Exploring the ethical and metaphysical implications of technological advancements
• The philosophy of happiness: Analyzing different theories of happiness and the pursuit of a meaningful life
• The philosophy of politics: Examining different political ideologies and their underlying philosophical foundations

Philosophy Cause and Effect Essay Topics:

• The impact of existentialism on individual freedom and responsibility
• The influence of utilitarianism on ethical decision-making
• The consequences of Descartes’ mind-body dualism on the understanding of human nature
• The effects of Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power on the pursuit of personal goals
• The relationship between Kant’s categorical imperative and moral duty
• The cause and effect of Plato’s theory of forms on the understanding of reality
• The consequences of Aristotle’s concept of virtue ethics on moral character development
• The impact of John Locke’s theory of tabula rasa on the understanding of human knowledge
• The influence of Sartre’s concept of bad faith on personal authenticity
• The effects of Hume’s skepticism on the nature of knowledge and belief
• The relationship between Hegel’s dialectic and historical progress
• The consequences of Rawls’ theory of justice on social equality
• The impact of feminist philosophy on gender equality and women’s rights
• The influence of Confucianism on social harmony and moral values in East Asian societies
• The cause and effect of Schopenhauer’s pessimism on the perception of human suffering

Philosophy Narrative Essay Topics:

• The Search for Meaning: A Personal Journey
• The Paradox of Free Will: Exploring the Boundaries of Choice
• The Nature of Reality: A Philosophical Reflection
• The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: A Moral Dilemma
• The Existential Crisis: Navigating Life’s Uncertainties
• The Problem of Evil: Examining the Coexistence of Good and Bad
• The Philosophy of Happiness: Pursuit or Illusion?
• The Mind-Body Problem: Exploring the Connection between the Physical and Mental
• The Ethics of Animal Rights: Balancing Human Interests and Animal Welfare
• The Philosophy of Time: Is it Linear or Cyclical?
• The Meaning of Beauty: A Philosophical Exploration
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Playing God or Advancing Humanity?
• The Philosophy of Education: Shaping Minds and Cultivating Knowledge
• The Nature of Consciousness: Unraveling the Mystery of Self-Awareness
• The Philosophy of Death: Contemplating the Afterlife and the Meaning of Mortality

Philosophy Opinion Essay Topics:

• The nature of reality: Idealism vs materialism
• The problem of evil: Does the existence of evil contradict the existence of a benevolent God?
• The ethics of artificial intelligence: Should AI be granted moral rights?
• The concept of personal identity: Is personal identity based on physical or psychological continuity?
• The mind-body problem: Is the mind separate from the body or are they one and the same?
• The ethics of euthanasia: Is it morally permissible to assist someone in ending their own life?
• The ethics of genetic engineering: Should we have the right to modify our own genetic makeup?
• The problem of induction: Can we justify our beliefs based on past experiences?
• The ethics of capital punishment: Is the death penalty morally justifiable?
• The nature of time: Is time an objective reality or a subjective construct?
• The ethics of abortion: Is abortion morally permissible?

Philosophy Evaluation Essay Topics:

• Evaluating the concept of free will in a deterministic universe
• Assessing the moral responsibility of corporations
• The validity of utilitarianism as a moral theory
• Evaluating the existence of objective moral values
• Assessing the ethical implications of genetic engineering
• The concept of personal identity: evaluating the mind-body problem
• Evaluating the role of reason in ethical decision-making
• Assessing the compatibility of faith and reason
• The concept of justice: evaluating different theories
• Evaluating the ethical implications of animal rights
• Assessing the concept of beauty in art and aesthetics
• The problem of evil: evaluating the existence of God
• Evaluating the ethical implications of climate change
• Assessing the concept of happiness in different philosophical traditions

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100+ Philosophy Essay Topics

Table of Contents

What is a Philosophy Essay?

A philosophy essay is an analytical piece of writing where the author critically explores philosophical concepts, theories, and arguments. Unlike typical essays that simply present information, a philosophy essay demands that you present a clear thesis or a specific point of view and then provide arguments or evidence to support or challenge it. The nature of philosophy is often abstract, dealing with questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language, thus requiring a thoughtful approach and careful analysis.

Guide to Choosing a Philosophy Essay Topic

Selecting the right topic for your philosophy essay is essential for laying the foundation for an intriguing and insightful paper. Here’s how:

• Identify Your Interest : Pick topics that genuinely intrigue you. Philosophy is vast; find your niche!
• Consider Your Audience : Who will read the essay? Tailor your topic to match their level of understanding and interest.
• Research and Familiarize : Ensure you have enough resources and knowledge to write extensively on the chosen topic.
• Challenge Yourself : Opt for topics that allow you to analyze and present unique perspectives critically.

Philosophy Essay Topics Lists

Metaphysics.

• Is there a purpose to life, or is existence merely accidental?
• Can the idea of an omnipotent and benevolent God coexist with the presence of evil in the world?
• What is the nature of reality – is it objective or subjective?
• Do human beings have free will, or are our actions predetermined?

Epistemology

• What is the nature and scope of human knowledge?
• Can we ever know something with absolute certainty?
• How do belief, knowledge, and truth interrelate?
• Is skepticism about the external world justified?
• Is morality absolute or relative?
• What makes an action morally right or wrong?
• Is there a universal standard of good, or is it culture-specific?
• How does self-interest play into moral decisions?
• What defines beauty in art or nature?
• Can art be morally wrong and still be considered great art?
• Is the appreciation of beauty purely subjective?
• How does cultural context influence our interpretation of art?

Social and Political Philosophy

• Is democracy the best form of governance?
• How should resources be distributed in a society – equally or based on merit?
• Is there a right to privacy in the digital age?
• Should there be limits to freedom of speech?

Existentialism

• What is the essence of human existence?
• How does one find meaning in a seemingly meaningless world?
• Is authenticity necessary for a fulfilled life?
• How do death and the finite nature of life influence human behavior?

Ancient Philosophy

• How did Socratic irony influence philosophical dialogue?
• Plato’s allegory of the cave: What does it reveal about human perception?
• Aristotle’s conception of virtue ethics.
• Stoicism and its relevance in today’s world.
• Epicureanism: The pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

Philosophy of Religion

• The problem of evil: Challenges to religious belief.
• Pascal’s Wager and its criticisms.
• Arguments for and against the existence of God.
• Religion and science: Are they compatible or conflicting?
• The concept of the afterlife in different religious traditions.

Philosophy of Mind

• Mind-body dualism: Arguments and implications.
• Is artificial intelligence capable of consciousness?
• The problem of other minds: How do we know others have consciousness?
• Emergent properties and the nature of consciousness.
• The philosophical implications of neuroscientific discoveries.

Feminist Philosophy

• The role of gender in epistemology.
• Feminist critiques of traditional ethical theories.
• The concept of the “male gaze” in feminist aesthetics.
• How does intersectionality reshape philosophical discussions on identity?
• The influence of Simone de Beauvoir on contemporary feminist thought.

Eastern Philosophy

• The Daoist conception of the “Way” and its significance.
• Buddhist philosophy on suffering and the path to enlightenment.
• Confucian values in modern Asian societies.
• The philosophy of karma and reincarnation.
• Comparing Western and Eastern notions of the self.

Philosophy of Science

• The demarcation problem: What distinguishes science from pseudoscience?
• Philosophical challenges posed by quantum mechanics.
• Scientific realism vs. anti-realism: Is science discovering truth?
• The role of paradigms and revolutions in the history of science, as posited by Thomas Kuhn.
• The ethics of genetic engineering and human enhancement.

Environmental Philosophy

• Deep ecology vs. shallow ecology: Different environmental ethics.
• The intrinsic value of nature: Should we value nature for its own sake?
• Philosophical perspectives on climate change and human responsibility.
• The rights of non-human animals: Ethical considerations.
• The anthropocentrism vs. biocentrism debate.

Postmodern Philosophy

• The nature of truth in a postmodern world.
• Derrida’s concept of deconstruction and its implications.
• The philosophical underpinnings of postmodern art and literature.
• Critiques of grand narratives and meta-narratives.
• Postmodernism and its impact on ethics and morality.

Logic and Argumentation

• The nature and types of logical fallacies.
• Inductive vs. deductive reasoning: Strengths and limitations.
• The paradoxes of Zeno and their resolutions.
• The importance of soundness and validity in argumentation.
• The challenges and limitations of formal logic in philosophical argumentation.

Applied Philosophy

• The ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
• Philosophical arguments for and against capital punishment.
• The moral implications of global economic inequality.
• The philosophical challenges of privacy in the age of digital surveillance.
• The ethics of war: Just War Theory and its criticisms.

Philosophy of Language

• Wittgenstein’s “language games” and their implications for meaning.
• The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Does language shape our reality?
• Deconstructionism: How does language conceal and reveal truth?
• The philosophy of names: What’s in a name?
• Metaphor in language: More than just a linguistic device?

Continental Philosophy

• Heidegger’s notion of “Being” and its significance.
• Sartre and existential freedom: Are we condemned to be free?
• Foucault’s philosophy of power: How is power dispersed in society?
• Husserl’s phenomenology: A fresh approach to consciousness.
• Derrida vs. Foucault: Debating the nature of discourse and power.

African Philosophy

• Ubuntu: The African conception of community and humanity.
• African communitarianism vs. Western individualism.
• Oral traditions in African philosophy: A different way of knowing?
• Colonialism and its effects on African philosophical thought.
• The concept of time in African philosophy.

Philosophy of Education

• The Socratic method: Is questioning the best way to teach?
• Education for liberation: Paulo Freire’s pedagogical approach.
• Philosophy in the classroom: Should ethics be a mandatory subject?
• The hidden curriculum: What are schools really teaching?
• Moral education: Can virtue be taught?

Are you stuck on how to approach your chosen topic? Dive deep into philosophical insights with WriteOnDeadline’s essay writing service. Our expert writers are well-versed in all philosophical realms and can craft an insightful, cogent essay tailored just for you. Let’s make your philosophical journey an enlightening one.

Useful References

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• PhilPapers: Online Research in Philosophy
• MIT’s Free Philosophy Course Materials

691 Philosophy Essay Topics & Good Ideas

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
• Icon Page 5472 words
• Icon Clock 25 min read

Philosophy essay topics are vast, engaging, and intellectually stimulating, focusing on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, aesthetics, and more. They challenge students to ponder on fundamental questions, from the nature of reality and existence to the basis of morality, the meaning of life, and the intricacies of human knowledge. From exploring ancient philosophies to scrutinizing contemporary philosophical debates, various concepts are designed to ignite critical thinking, enhance argumentative skills, and deepen students’ understanding of the world, themselves, and their place within it. Thus, philosophical essay topics, by their nature, encourage students to develop and formulate their own unique perspectives, fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and rigorous analysis.

Best Philosophy Topics

• Unraveling Kant’s Perspective on Moral Imperatives
• Analyzing the Concept of Existentialism in Sartre’s Works
• Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”: A Modern Interpretation
• Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence: A Philosophical View
• Nihilism’s Influence on Contemporary Thought and Culture
• The Intersection of Eastern Philosophy and Modern Science
• Nietzsche’s “Will to Power”: Relevance in the 21st Century
• Stoicism and Resilience: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life
• Deciphering the Notion of “Tabula Rasa” in Locke’s Philosophy
• Dialectical Materialism: The Backbone of Marxist Philosophy
• Heidegger’s “Being and Time”: A Deep-Dive Into Existential Analysis
• Conceptualizing the “Simulated Reality” Hypothesis From a Philosophical Perspective
• Philosophical Implications of Quantum Physics: Bridging the Gap
• Utilitarianism vs. Deontology: An Ethical Debate
• Contributions of Indian Philosophy to Global Philosophical Discourse
• Philosophical Roots of Feminist Theory
• Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics: Relevance in Modern Society
• Philosophy of Language: Wittgenstein’s Revolutionary Viewpoint
• Re-Examining Solipsism in the Digital Age
• The Notion of “Free Will”: Philosophical Perspectives
• Descartes’ Meditations: Rationalism and Skepticism
• Spinoza and Pantheism: An Intriguing Relation
• Causality and Hume: Breaking Down Empiricism
• The Role of Suffering in Buddhist Philosophy
• The Paradox of Time Travel: A Philosophical Enquiry

Easy Philosophy Topics

• Epicurus on Pleasure: Hedonism Redefined
• The “Butterfly Effect” Concept: Philosophical Underpinnings
• Schopenhauer’s Pessimism: Understanding the Philosophy of Suffering
• Transcendental Idealism: Unpacking Kant’s Epistemology
• Philosophical Investigations Into the Nature of Consciousness
• Probing Into the Ethics of Cloning: A Philosophical Examination
• Postmodernist Views on Objective Reality: A Critical Evaluation
• Analyzing Ethical Egoism: An Inquiry Into Self-Interest
• Ayn Rand’s Objectivism: A Philosophical Analysis
• The Concept of “The Other” in Existential Philosophy
• Philosophical Assumptions in Freud’s Theory of Psychoanalysis
• Taoist Philosophy and Its Relevance to Sustainable Living
• Rethinking the Philosophy of Death: Perspectives on Mortality
• Philosophy of Mathematics: Beyond Numbers and Equations
• Metaphysical Debates Surrounding the Existence of God
• Interpreting the Principle of “Ma” in Japanese Aesthetics
• Philosophical Perspectives on the Dichotomy of Good and Evil
• Assessing the Phenomenological Approach in Philosophy
• Heraclitus’ Philosophy of Change: A Dynamic View of Reality
• The Mind-Body Problem: Insights From Dualism and Monism
• Evaluating Zeno’s Paradoxes: A Philosophical Perspective
• The Notion of Justice in Rawls’ Theory of Fairness
• Pyrrhonian Skepticism: An Examination of Radical Doubt
• Impacts of Existential Crisis on Human Behavior: A Philosophical Investigation

Interesting Philosophy Paper Topics

• Rousseau and the “Noble Savage”: Revisiting Romanticism in Philosophy
• Debating the Ethics of War: A Philosophical Approach
• The Perception of Reality in Hindu Philosophy: Maya and Brahman
• Analyzing the Philosophy of Crime and Punishment: Dostoevsky’s Perspective
• The Golden Mean: Aristotle’s Take on Balance and Moderation
• Philosopher Kings: Plato’s Vision of Ideal Rulership
• A Deeper Look Into the Philosophy of Stoic Joy
• Exploring the Boundaries of Human Knowledge: An Epistemological Enquiry
• The Socratic Method: Its Philosophical Foundations and Educational Implications
• Understanding the Notion of “The Absurd” in Camus’ Works
• Critical Examination of Hobbes’ “State of Nature”
• Kierkegaard’s Leap of Faith: A Philosophical Analysis
• Transhumanism and Its Philosophical Implications: A Critical Study
• Philosophy of Art: Aesthetic Theory and Practice
• Evaluating the Existentialism of Nietzsche’s “Ubermensch”
• Jung’s Archetypes: Unveiling the Philosophical Underpinnings
• Moral Obligations Towards Future Generations: A Philosophical Perspective
• Zen Buddhism: Its Philosophy and Influence on Eastern Thought
• Philosophical Perspectives on Human Rights: Defining Dignity and Freedom
• Confucius’ Philosophy of Harmony: Relevance in Contemporary Society
• The Evolution of Social Contract Theory: From Hobbes to Rawls
• Tracing the Evolution of Moral Relativism in Philosophy
• The Philosophical Aspects of Happiness: A Comparative Study
• Platonic Love: Its Philosophical Underpinnings and Influence on Western Thought

Argumentative Philosophy Topics

• Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Modern Ethics
• Death Penalty: Deterrent for Crime or Infringement on Rights?
• Free Will vs. Determinism: Influence on Human Behavior
• Assisted Suicide: Compassionate Choice or Ethical Misstep?
• Objectivity in History: Fact or Interpretation?
• Truth of Absolutism: Unwavering Certainty or Egotistical Illusion?
• Validity of Censorship in Safeguarding Public Morality
• Role of Religion: Source of Morality or Cause of Conflict?
• Virtue Ethics: Ideal Moral Compass or Unrealistic Standard?
• Merit of Utilitarianism in Policy-Making Decisions
• Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering in Humans
• Vegetarianism: Moral Obligation or Personal Preference?
• Pacifism: Cowardice or Bravery in the Face of Conflict?
• Cultural Relativism: Respect for Diversity or Excuse for Human Rights Violations?
• Existentialism: Path to Authenticity or Descent into Nihilism?
• Intellectual Property: Protection of Creativity or Hindrance to Progress?
• Aesthetic Judgements: Subjective Preference or Objective Criteria?
• Human Nature: Innately Good or Inherently Evil?
• Moral Responsibility of Multinational Corporations in Developing Countries
• Ethical Dimensions of Universal Basic Income
• Privacy in Digital Age: Fundamental Right or Sacrifice for Security?

Philosophy Proposal Essay Topics

• Exploration of Ethical Implications Surrounding Genetic Engineering
• Unveiling Truth: An Investigation Into Epistemological Theories
• Analyzing Moral Dilemmas: A Deep Dive Into Kantian Ethics
• Perspectives on Existentialism: Influences and Repercussions
• Rationality vs. Emotion: A Comparative Study in Decision-Making
• Dialectics of Master and Slave: Hegelian Theory Revisited
• Nature of Reality: Examination of Metaphysical Concepts
• Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics: Relevance in Contemporary Society
• Buddhist Philosophy and Its Impact on Modern Mindfulness Practices
• Nietzsche’s “Übermensch”: Interpretation and Implications for Modern Man
• Empathy’s Role in Ethical Decision-Making: A Philosophical Perspective
• Aesthetic Judgement: Kant’s Analysis in the Modern Context
• Phenomenology’s Evolution: Sartre and Husserl Comparative Analysis
• Postmodern Deconstruction: Derrida’s Influence on Contemporary Thought
• Quantum Mechanics and Philosophy: Revisiting Determinism and Indeterminism
• Platonist Views on Love: An In-Depth Review
• Mysticism and Rationalism: Contrasting Views on Human Experience
• Panpsychism Reconsidered: Consciousness in the Universe
• Multiverse Theory: Philosophical Discussions and Considerations
• Nihilism in the 21st Century: An Evaluative Study

Philosophy Research Paper Topics

• Ethical Conundrums of Genetic Engineering: A Philosophical Analysis
• Unraveling Hegel’s Dialectics: The Synthesis of Thesis and Antithesis
• Tracing the Origin and Development of Libertarianism
• Environmental Ethics: Gaia Theory and Deep Ecology
• The Trolley Problem: A Philosophical Conundrum
• Examining “The Myth of Progress” From a Philosophical Lens
• The Philosophical Basis of Humanism: Secular and Religious Perspectives
• The Enigma of Time in Philosophy: Exploring Different Theories
• The Moral Dimension of Veganism: A Philosophical Exploration
• Materialism vs. Idealism: An Enduring Philosophical Debate
• The Philosophy of Music: From Pythagoras to Nietzsche
• Understanding the Philosophy of Education: Teaching and Learning Deconstructed
• The Role of Doubt in Philosophy: A Discourse on Skepticism
• Insights Into the Philosophy of Love: From Plato to Fromm
• Unpacking the Concept of “Collective Consciousness” in Durkheim’s Works
• Revisiting “The Allegory of the Sun” in Plato’s Republic
• A Phenomenological Approach to Perception: Merleau-Ponty’s Perspective
• Philosophical Implications of the Multiverse Theory: An Analysis
• Exploring the Concept of Karma in Indian Philosophy
• Philosophy of Space and Time: Unveiling the Mysteries

Comparative Philosophy Essay Topics

• Exploring the Distinctions Between Eastern and Western Concepts of Justice
• Contrasting Confucianism and Platonism: Ethics and Education
• Buddhism vs. Stoicism: A Comparative Study of Approaches to Suffering
• Existentialism in West versus Absurdism in East: Differing Views on Meaning of Life
• A Comparative Analysis of Aristotle’s and Confucius’s Views on Friendship
• The Role of Intuition in Eastern Mysticism and Western Rationalism
• Daoism and Epicureanism: Different Paths to Tranquility
• Relevance of Kant’s Categorical Imperative in the Context of Buddhist Ethics
• The Influence of Taoist Philosophy on Western Environmental Ethics
• A Comparative Study: Greek Hedonism and Indian Philosophy of Ananda
• Comparative Evaluation of Duty in Kantian Ethics and Dharma in Hindu Philosophy
• Parallel Themes in Zoroastrianism and Platonism: A Comparative Analysis
• Comparative Examination of Eastern and Western Perspectives on Forgiveness
• Kierkegaard’s Leap of Faith and Zen Buddhism’s Sudden Enlightenment: A Comparative Study
• A Comparative Analysis of Schopenhauer’s Will and Buddhism’s Desire
• Comparing Hindu Karma and Aristotelian Virtue Ethics: A Study of Moral Responsibility
• Nietzsche’s Eternal Recurrence and the Buddhist Notion of Samsara: A Comparative Analysis
• Analyzing the Differences in Hegelian and Taoist Dialectics
• Examining Sufism and Christian Mysticism: Comparative Analysis of Divine Love
• Understanding Free Will: A Comparative Study Between Sartre’s Existentialism and Islamic Determinism

Practical Philosophical Topics for Philosophy Essays

• Altruism vs. Egoism: Which Guides Humanity?
• Happiness Pursuit: The Role of Virtue Ethics
• Consequentialism and Its Impact on Decision-Making Processes
• Existentialism: Understanding Our Purpose and Meaning
• Justice Examination: Balancing Equality and Fairness
• Animal Rights: Ethical Obligations Towards Non-Human Creatures
• Perception of Reality: An Analysis of Solipsism
• Morality Origin: Divine Command Theory or Secular Humanism?
• Feminist Philosophy: Promoting Gender Equality and Justice
• Dilemmas in Bioethics: Dealing With Life and Death Decisions
• Vegetarianism Advocacy: A Case of Moral Obligation
• Capital Punishment: Weighing Retribution Against Rehabilitation
• Personal Identity: Analyzing Persistence Over Time
• War Ethics: Deciphering Justified Conflict
• Environmental Ethics: Our Responsibility Toward Nature
• Kant’s Imperative: Its Application in Modern Ethics
• Stoicism Influence: Practical Philosophy for Modern Living
• Political Philosophy: Understanding Social Contract Theory
• Business Ethics: Corporate Responsibility and Stakeholder Theory
• Utilitarianism: Critiquing Its Feasibility as a Moral Framework
• Metaphysics of Mind: Analyzing Dualism vs. Physicalism

Philosophy Essay Questions

• How Does Plato’s Theory of Forms Influence Modern Philosophy?
• What Are the Ethical Dimensions of Nietzsche’s “Will to Power”?
• In What Ways Does Kant’s Transcendental Idealism Contribute to Epistemology?
• How Does Existentialism Manifest in Kierkegaard’s Philosophical Writings?
• Which Holds Greater Influence: Empiricism or Rationalism?
• What Role Does Phenomenology Play in Husserl’s Thought?
• Can Derrida’s “Of Grammatology” Be Deconstructed?
• How Can Philosophical Perspectives Shed Light on Artificial Intelligence Ethics?
• What Are the Philosophical Implications of Quantum Physics?
• How Does Epicurus’ Philosophy Contribute to the Art of Happiness?
• How Does Camus’ Concept of the Absurd Explore the Search for Meaning?
• How Does Hegel’s Dialectic Theory Influence His Phenomenology of Spirit?
• What Are Feminist Perspectives Presented in Simone de Beauvoir’s “The Second Sex”?
• How Does Postmodernism Reflect in Baudrillard’s “Simulacra”?
• How Does Leibniz’s Monadology Shape the Metaphysics of His Time?
• Does the Paradox of Free Will Undermine the Concept of Personal Autonomy?
• How Does Popper’s Falsification Theory Reinforce the Philosophy of Science?
• How Has Wittgenstein’s Linguistic Turn Shaped Analytic Philosophy?
• What Insights Does Heraclitus Provide on the Philosophy of Constant Change?
• How Does Sartre’s Phenomenological Ontology Emerge in Being and Nothingness?
• How Does Singer’s Utilitarian Ethics Shape the Argument for Animal Rights?

Aesthetics Philosophy Topics

• Significance of Form in Aesthetic Appreciation
• Relationship Between Aesthetics and Emotion
• Impacts of Culture on Judgments of Beauty
• Evolution of Aesthetic Taste Throughout History
• Aesthetic Philosophy and the Nature of Creativity
• Concept of the Sublime in Aesthetic Experience
• Philosophy of Aesthetics and the Perception of Art
• Roles of Imagination in Aesthetic Appreciation
• Aesthetic Judgment and Criteria for Beauty
• Philosophy of Aesthetic Experience and the Mind-Body Problem
• Aesthetics and the Interpretation of Art
• Connections Between Aesthetics and Ethical Values
• Aesthetic Education and Development of Artistic Taste
• Influence of Technology on Aesthetic Perception
• Authenticity in Art and the Philosophy of Aesthetics
• Aesthetics and the Concept of Artistic Intention
• Temporal Perception in Aesthetic Experience
• Philosophy of Art Restoration and Aesthetic Preservation
• Aesthetic Appreciation of Nature and the Environment
• Aesthetics and the Ethics of Environmental Responsibility
• Philosophy of Architecture and Aesthetic Design
• Aesthetic Pleasure and the Concept of Catharsis

Analytic Philosophy Essay Topics

• The Epistemological Significance of Conceptual Analysis
• Language’s Roles in Analytic Philosophy
• Exploring the Ontological Status of Abstract Objects
• Ethical Considerations in Language and Communication
• The Problematic Nature of Induction in Scientific Reasoning
• Mental States: Identity or Functionalism?
• Unveiling the Metaphysics of Causation and Determinism
• The Logical Structure Underlying Scientific Explanation
• Perception and Sense Data: Epistemological Insights
• Philosophical Perspectives on Mathematics: Platonism vs. Nominalism
• Exploring Consciousness: Physicalism or Dualism?
• The Epistemology of Testimony and Trustworthiness
• Philosophy of Time: Presentism or Eternalism?
• Understanding the Nature of Natural Laws
• Ethical Dimensions of Human Enhancement Technologies
• The Problem of Personal Identity and Continuity
• The Epistemology of Scientific Realism and Anti-Realism
• Philosophy of Language: Referentialism or Pragmatism?
• Analyzing the Concept of Analyticity in Language Philosophy
• Ethics of Animal Rights and Welfare

Ancient Philosophy Essay Topics

• Stoicism and the Pursuit of Apatheia: Examining Emotional Detachment
• Epicurus’ Hedonistic Philosophy and Its Critique of Pleasure
• The Significance of Reason in Seneca the Younger’s Philosophy
• Divine Providence in Stoic Metaphysics: Unraveling Its Meaning
• Pythagorean Ethics: The Interplay of Virtue and Mathematics
• Heraclitus’ Doctrine of Flux: A Paradigm Shift in Ancient Thought
• Pythagorean Philosophy: Exploring the Harmony of Body and Soul
• Aristotle’s Ethics: The Concept of Telos and Human Flourishing
• Parmenides’ Metaphysics and Its Influence on Pre-Socratic Philosophy
• Epictetus on the Integration of Reason and Passion in Moral Development
• Zeno’s Paradoxes: The Philosophy of Paradox in Ancient Greece
• Neoplatonism and the Anima Mundi: Unveiling the Cosmic Soul
• The Aesthetic Dimension in Ancient Greek Philosophical Thought
• Ethics and Politics: The Interconnectedness in Aristotle’s Philosophy
• The Influence of Sophists on Rhetoric and Philosophical Discourse
• The Logos: Stoic and Heraclitean Perspectives on Rationality
• Divine Retribution in Ancient Roman Philosophical Thought
• Skepticism and the Quest for Knowledge: An Ancient Philosophical Inquiry
• Marcus Aurelius: Reason and Virtue in Stoic Philosophy
• Stoicism and Epicureanism: Exploring the Concepts of Fate and Destiny
• The Interplay of Ethics and Metaphysics in Plato’s Philosophy
• Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”: Political Philosophy and the Quest for Truth

Continental Philosophy Essay Topics

• Metaphysical Foundations of Existentialism
• Phenomenological Analysis of Perception and Reality
• Language and Interpretation in Hermeneutics
• Hegelian Dialectics: Freedom Unveiled
• Merleau-Ponty’s Embodied Phenomenology: Corporeality, Perception, and the World
• Ethics of Care: Feminist Perspective in Continental Philosophy
• Power’s Ontology: Foucault’s Discourse Analysis
• Deconstruction: Critiquing Binary Oppositions
• Emmanuel Levinas: Exploring the Notion of “Otherness”
• Hannah Arendt: Political Philosophy and the Power of Action
• Spirit’s Absolute Nature: Hegelian Philosophy
• Sartre’s Existentialism: Crisis of Meaning
• Heidegger’s Analysis of Being-in-the-World: Authentic Existence
• History’s Roles in Walter Benjamin’s Philosophy
• Bergson’s Philosophy of Duration: Time Unveiled
• Ethics of Alterity: Julia Kristeva’s Perspective
• Phenomenology of Love: Jean-Luc Marion’s Insights
• Alienation: Marx and Adorno’s Conceptual Framework
• Desire’s Philosophy: Gilles Deleuze’s Perspective
• Sublime Aesthetics: Immanuel Kant’s Notions
• Poststructuralist Critique: Challenging Essentialism and Identity

Eastern Philosophy Essay Topics

• Analyzing the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism
• Non-Attachment in Advaita Vedanta: A Transcendent Concept
• The Significance of Mindfulness in Eastern Philosophies
• Eco-Philosophy: Embracing the Way of Nature
• Karma Yoga: Selflessness in Hinduism
• Leadership and Daoism: The Way to Govern
• Exploring the Three Jewels of Buddhism
• The Paradox of Wu: Unveiling Daoist Mysteries
• Impermanence: A Key Tenet in Buddhist Philosophy
• Neo-Confucianism’s Influence on East Asian Societies
• The Bhagavad Gita: Self-Realization through Yoga
• Daoist Alchemy: Inner Transformation and Eternal Life
• Shintoism: Rituals and Their Significance
• Zen Koans: Illuminating Enigmatic Teachings
• Qi: Vital Energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Philosophy
• Laozi’s Teachings: Insights From “The Dao De Jing”
• Asceticism: Renunciation in Indian Philosophy
• Yogic Perspectives: Mind, Consciousness, and Beyond
• Tea Ceremony: Harmony and Zen Aesthetics
• Confucianism’s Ethical Teachings in Modern Society

Enlightenment Philosophy Essay Topics

• The Influence of Descartes’ Dualism on Enlightenment Thought
• Voltaire’s Critique of Religious Dogma and Superstition
• Kant’s Concept of Reason and Its Role in Enlightenment Thinking
• Empiricism in Hume’s Philosophy and Its Impact on Enlightenment
• Locke’s Theory of Natural Rights and Its Influence on Enlightenment Politics
• Rousseau’s Social Contract and the Idea of Popular Sovereignty
• The Enlightenment’s Impact on the American Revolution
• Montesquieu’s Theory of Separation of Powers and Its Influence on Modern Governments
• The Feminist Critique of Enlightenment Philosophy
• Diderot’s “Encyclopédie” and the Dissemination of Enlightenment Ideas
• Enlightenment’s Influence on the French Revolution
• Spinoza’s Pantheism and Its Relation to Enlightenment Metaphysics
• Skepticism’s Roles in Enlightenment Philosophy
• The Ethical Implications of Enlightenment Rationalism
• Enlightenment’s Impacts on Education and the Spread of Knowledge
• Critique of Colonialism in Enlightenment Philosophy
• Aesthetics in Enlightenment Thought and Its Significance
• Leibniz’s Monadology and Its Relation to Enlightenment Metaphysics
• Newtonian Physics’ Influence on Enlightenment Philosophy
• Freedom of Speech in Enlightenment Thinking and Its Importance
• The Concept of Happiness in Enlightenment Ethics

Epistemology Philosophy Topics

• The Nature of Knowledge: Exploring Epistemological Foundations
• Rationality and Reasoning: Investigating Logic in Knowledge Attainment
• Inductive Dilemma: Assessing Generalization Validity
• Skepticism and Certainty: Unveiling Limits to Human Understanding
• Empiricism vs. Rationalism: Contrasting Approaches to Epistemology
• Epistemic Relativism: Evaluating Subjectivity in Knowledge
• Warranted Belief: Examining Criteria for Epistemic Justification
• Intellectual Virtues: Identifying Knowledgeable Traits
• Foundationalism vs. Coherentism: Analyzing Knowledge Justification Theories
• Gettier’s Challenge: Critiquing Traditional Knowledge Definition
• Epistemic Authority: Investigating the Role of Experts
• Ethical Dimensions of Knowledge: Exploring Epistemic Responsibility
• Social Epistemology: Understanding Social Factors in Knowledge Acquisition
• Epistemic Norms: Evaluating Standards for Knowledge
• Testimony and Trustworthiness: Assessing Reliability in Second-Hand Knowledge
• Internalism and Externalism: Contrasting Perspectives on Justification
• Reliabilism: Analyzing Cognitive Processes in Knowledge Formation
• A Priori vs. A Posteriori Knowledge: Distinguishing Analytic and Synthetic Truths
• Epistemic Closure Principle: Assessing Knowledge Inference
• Pragmatic Epistemology: Considering Practical Consequences of Beliefs

Existentialism Philosophy Topics

• Existentialist Perspectives on Life’s Purpose
• Freedom and Authenticity in Existentialist Thought
• The Absurdity of Human Existence: An Existential Inquiry
• Existential Anxiety and Dread: Navigating the Uncertainty
• The Existential Crisis: Questioning the Fundamentals of Existence
• Reflecting on the Nature of Being in Existentialist Philosophy
• God and Existentialism: Exploring the Existential Dimension
• Mortality and Existentialism: Reflections on Life and Death
• Individualism and Authenticity in Existentialist Ideology
• Ethical Dilemmas and Freedom of Choice in Existentialism
• Human Condition: An Existentialist Perspective
• The Existential Hero: Embracing Freedom and Responsibility
• Existential Angst: Navigating the Depths of Existence
• The Search for Meaning: Existentialism and the Void
• The Quest for Authenticity in an Existentialist Framework
• Phenomenology of Existence: Exploring the Essence of Being
• Embracing Uncertainty: Existentialism and the Unknown
• Personal Fulfillment: Existentialist Insights and Perspectives
• The Paradox of Freedom: Choices and Limitations in Existentialism
• Existential Responsibility: The Weight of Our Choices
• Rejecting Objective Morality: Existentialist Perspectives

Feminist Philosophy Essay Topics

• Intersectional Feminism: Exploring the Interconnected Struggles of Gender, Race, and Class
• Agency and Autonomy: Reconceptualizing Women’s Empowerment in Feminist Thought
• Ethics of Care: Rethinking Relationships and Responsibilities in Feminist Philosophy
• Embodiment and Subjectivity: The Role of the Female Body in Feminist Philosophy
• Epistemology of Gender: Challenging Male-Centered Knowledge Systems
• Gender and Power: Analyzing Patriarchy’s Impact on Women’s Lives
• Feminist Perspectives on Sexuality and Desire: Embracing Pleasure and Liberation
• Reproductive Justice: Examining Women’s Rights Over Their Bodies and Reproduction
• Environmental Feminism: Valuing Women’s Contributions to Sustainability
• Language and Gender: Deconstructing Gendered Discourse and Linguistic Norms
• Capitalism and Feminism: Unveiling Gendered Exploitation and Economic Inequalities
• Sexual Violence and Consent: Reshaping Consent Culture in Feminist Philosophy
• Feminist Ethics in Healthcare: Redefining Medical Decision-Making
• Feminist Philosophy of Science: Challenging Biases in Scientific Research
• Gender Identity and Transgender Rights: Recognizing Diverse Experiences
• Feminist Perspectives on Marriage and Family: Reimagining Relationships and Roles
• Feminist Pedagogy: Transforming Education to Empower Women
• Body Politics: Exploring Appearance and Beauty Standards in Feminist Philosophy
• Feminist Perspectives on Globalization: Analyzing Neoliberal Policies’ Impact on Women
• Feminist Approaches to Political Theory: Reconceptualizing Power and Democracy

Metaphysics Philosophy Topics

• The Essence of Reality: Unveiling the Fundamentals of Existence
• Consciousness and Its Role in Metaphysics: Exploring the Mystery
• Causality and Determinism: Investigating the Link Between Cause and Effect
• Metaphysical Dualism: Examining the Mind-Body Connection
• Free Will and Determinism: Reconciling Human Choice With Universal Laws
• Ontological Arguments for the Existence of God: Unraveling Deity’s Nature
• The Problem of Evil: Addressing Suffering in a Perfect World
• Time and Temporality: Delving Into the Nature of Chronology
• Personal Identity and the Self: Defining Being’s Essence
• Metaphysics of Space: Exploring Universe’s Dimensions and Boundaries
• The Nature of Knowledge: Epistemological Considerations in Metaphysics
• Essentialism and Nominalism: Debating Universals’ Nature
• Teleological Arguments for God’s Existence: Examining Design in the Universe
• Metaphysics of Morality: Investigating Ethical Principles’ Foundation
• Substance and Attribute: Understanding Objects’ Fundamental Properties
• Identity and Individuation: Exploring Criteria for Personal Distinction
• Metaphysics of Language: Analyzing Words’ Relationship With Reality
• Idealism and Realism: Examining Diverse Views on the World’s Nature
• Metaphysical Paradoxes: Investigating Logical Inconsistencies in Reality
• The Problem of Induction: Evaluating Generalized Knowledge’s Validity
• Theories of Universals: Debating Abstract Concepts’ Existence

Modern Philosophy Essay Topics

• Ethical Implications of Technological Advancements
• Epistemological Challenges in the Digital Era
• Consciousness and Selfhood in Contemporary Metaphysics
• Impacts of Postmodernism on Art and Aesthetics
• Existentialist Perspectives on Freedom and Responsibility
• Power Dynamics and Oppression in Critical Theory
• Feminist Philosophy: Embodiment and Phenomenology
• Ethics in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
• Consumer Culture: The Paradox of Choice
• The Intersection of Philosophy and Science in the Mind
• Language, Communication, and Analytic Philosophy
• Environmental Ethics in the Anthropocene Era
• Exploring Evil: Contemporary Philosophy of Religion
• Temporal Concepts in Contemporary Metaphysics
• Cultural Diversity and Moral Relativism
• Animal Rights: Ethics and Contemporary Philosophy
• Transhumanism: Technology and Human Flourishing
• Quantum Philosophy: Understanding Reality
• Social Contract Theory and Political Legitimacy
• Philosophy of Education in a Globalized Context

Phenomenology Philosophy Topics

• Human Consciousness and the Lived Experience
• Intentionality in Phenomenological Analysis
• Embodiment and the Phenomenology of Perception
• Temporality and the Experience of Time in Phenomenology
• Social Interactions and Intersubjectivity in the Phenomenological Context
• Phenomenology of the Other: Encounter With Alterity
• Emotions and Their Role in Phenomenological Investigation
• Authenticity: Exploring the Phenomenology of Being
• Place and Space: Phenomenological Perspectives
• Selfhood and the Phenomenology of Identity
• Existential Inquiry: Unveiling Meaning Through Phenomenology
• Embodied Mind: Phenomenological Reflections on the Body-Mind Relationship
• Art and Aesthetics: Phenomenological Engagement
• Temporality: The Structuring Principle of Consciousness in Phenomenology
• Language and Its Significance in Phenomenological Discourse
• Ethics of Care: Phenomenological Considerations
• Objectivity and Intentionality in Phenomenology
• Perception and Its Role in Phenomenological Inquiry
• Technology and Its Impact on Phenomenological Reflection
• Lifeworld: Foundation of Phenomenology

Philosophy Ethics Topics

• Freedom, Responsibility, and Existential Ethical Inquiry
• Ethical Dilemmas in Medical Decision-Making
• Feminist Ethics: Gender, Equality, and Justice
• Moral Relativism and Cultural Diversity
• Capital Punishment: An Ethical Assessment
• Ethical Considerations in Artificial Reproduction
• Implications of Human Cloning: An Ethical Examination
• Ethics of War and Justifications for Violence
• Ethical Issues in Biomedical Research
• Ethical Dimensions of Privacy and Surveillance
• Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: Ethical Perspectives
• Moral Realism vs. Subjectivism: A Philosophical Debate
• Ethical Challenges in Globalization and Trade
• Corporate Ethics: Responsibilities and Accountability
• Resource Allocation in Healthcare: Ethical Considerations
• Ethical Questions in Genetic Privacy and DNA Analysis
• Obligations Toward Future Generations: An Ethical Inquiry
• Artificial Intelligence in Warfare: Ethical Implications
• Criminal Justice Ethics: Balancing Punishment and Rehabilitation
• Ethical Considerations in Organ Transplantation
• Human Enhancement and Transhumanism: Ethical Perspectives

Philosophy of Education Essay Topics

• The Role of Ethics in Educational Practices: Cultivating Moral Responsibility
• Examining the Influence of Technology on Teaching and Learning: Enhancing Educational Approaches
• Philosophy of Inclusion: Embracing Diversity Within Educational Settings
• Constructivism and Its Impact on Education: Fostering Active Knowledge Construction
• The Importance of Critical Thinking in Educational Environments: Nurturing Analytical Minds
• Play-Based Learning in Early Childhood Education: Promoting Holistic Development
• Examining the Purpose of Education: Cultivating Lifelong Learners
• Ethics of Standardized Assessment: Balancing Accountability and Student Well-Being
• Existentialism in Education: Nurturing Authenticity and Personal Freedom
• The Significance of Emotional Intelligence in Educational Contexts: Fostering Social and Emotional Learning
• Promoting Creativity in Education: Unlocking the Potential of Imagination
• Exploring Cultural Education: Celebrating Diversity and Promoting Intercultural Understanding
• Examining Progressivism in Education: A Student-Centered Approach
• The Importance of Education for Sustainable Development: Fostering Environmental Responsibility
• Addressing Gender Equity in Education: Promoting Equality and Inclusivity
• Perennialism in Education: Cultivating Enduring Knowledge and Universal Truths
• Ethical Considerations in Classroom Management: Balancing Discipline and Empathy
• Philosophy’s Roles in Teacher Education: Shaping Educators’ Perspectives and Practices
• The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Education: Addressing Educational Disparities
• Philosophy of Epistemology in Education: Examining the Nature of Knowledge Acquisition

Philosophy of Language Topics

• Linguistic Constructs: Exploring the Role of Language in Shaping Reality
• Verbal Determinism: Examining the Influence of Language on Thought
• Expressive Boundaries: Unraveling the Ineffability of Linguistic Expression
• Intentional Communication: Understanding Meaning in Verbal Acts
• Referential Dynamics: Investigating the Relationship Between Words and the World
• Social Significance: Analyzing Power Dynamics in Linguistic Interactions
• Semantics and Truth: Exploring the Correspondence Between Language and Reality
• Contextual Meaning: Examining Pragmatics in Language Usage
• Language Acquisition: Unveiling the Process of Learning and Acquiring Verbal Skills
• The Challenge of Indeterminacy: Exploring Ambiguity and Vagueness in Language
• Figurative Language: Analyzing Metaphors and Metonymy in Linguistic Representation
• Linguistic Influence on Identity: Investigating Language’s Impact on Personal and Cultural Identities
• The Nature of Naming: Understanding the Significance of Lexical Representation
• Theories of Referentiality: Comparing Descriptive, Causal, and Direct Reference
• Linguistic Relativity Debate: Examining the Influence of Language on Thought and Perception
• Evolutionary Aspects of Language: Tracing the Origins and Development of Human Communication
• Meaning in Interpretation: Exploring Context, Intention, and Understanding
• Language and Power Structures: Investigating the Relationship between Linguistics and Social Hierarchies
• Translation Challenges: Unraveling the Philosophical Implications of Language Transfer
• Cognitive Representations: Examining the Connection Between Language and Thought
• Logical Structures: Analyzing the Formalism of Language and Reasoning
• Language and Technological Influence: Exploring the Impact of Digital Communication on Linguistic Practices

Philosophy of Law Essay Topics

• Ethical Dilemmas in Legal Punishment
• Reasoning and Decision-Making in Legal Systems
• Metaphysics of Rights and Legal Personhood
• Intersection of Morality and Legal Enforcement
• Epistemological Foundations of Legal Systems
• Ontological Status of Legal Norms and Obligations
• Concept of Justice in Legal Theory
• Hermeneutics of Legal Texts and Interpretation
• Relationship Between Law and Social Change
• Teleology of Legal Institutions and Systems
• Deontological Perspective on Legal Ethics
• Aesthetics of Law and Legal Systems
• Pragmatism in Legal Positivism
• Roles of Equality in Legal Rights and Obligations
• Existential Dimensions of Legal Responsibility
• Dialectics of Individual Liberty and Legal Constraints
• Precedents and Case Law: Hermeneutics and Interpretation
• Phenomenology of Legal Authority and Obedience
• Ethics of Civil Disobedience and Legal Reform
• Epistemological Challenges of Legal Realism

Philosophy of Mind Topics

• The Conceptualization of Consciousness: Exploring Self-Awareness Phenomena
• Dualism and Materialism: Examining Mind-Body Relationship Nature
• Embodied Cognition: Understanding Role of Body in Cognitive Processes
• Free Will and Determinism: Investigating Boundaries of Human Agency
• The Problem of Other Minds: Unveiling Understanding of Mental States in Others
• Intentionality and Mental Representation: Unraveling Nature of Cognitive Content
• Personal Identity: Analyzing Self-Continuity Over Time
• The Nature of Qualia: Discussing Subjective Experience of Sensations
• Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness: Exploring Potential Machine Sentience
• Epistemological Challenges of Perception: Examining Reliability of Senses
• Mental Causation: Investigating the Relationship Between Mental Events and Physical Events
• Panpsychism: Contemplating Mind Presence in All Things
• Reductionism and Emergence: Analyzing Explanation Levels in Mind-Body Problem
• Consciousness and Brain Activity: Linking Neural Processes to Subjective Experience
• Philosophy of Memory: Understanding the Nature of Remembering
• The Problem of Induction: Examining Justification for Generalizing From Experience
• The Nature of Belief: Investigating Epistemology of Mental States
• Philosophy of Emotion: Exploring Subjective Experience of Feelings
• Philosophy of Language: Analyzing the Relationship Between Language and Thought
• Introspection and Self-Knowledge: Reflecting on Inner Experience Nature
• Mental Imagery and Perception: Examining Role of Mental Images in Cognition

Philosophy of Religion Essay Topics

• The Existence of God: A Critical Examination
• The Problem of Evil: Reconciling Divine Omnipotence and the Presence of Suffering
• Religious Pluralism: Is There One Ultimate Faith?
• The Teleological Argument: Investigating Design and Purpose in the Cosmos
• The Cosmological Argument: Exploring the Origin of the Universe
• The Ontological Argument: Examining the Concept of a Necessary Existence
• Faith and Reason: Coexistence or Conflict?
• Mystical Encounters: Understanding the Significance of Spiritual Experiences
• The Euthyphro Dilemma: Does Morality Depend on Divine Commands?
• Divine Hiddenness: Why Does God Not Reveal Himself Universally?
• Supernatural Interventions: Exploring Miraculous Events
• Divine Foreknowledge and Human Free Will: A Philosophical Inquiry
• Religious Language: Expressing the Ineffable?
• Soul and Personal Identity: Investigating Immortality and the Self
• Theodicy: Justifying God’s Actions in the Face of Evil
• Religion and Science: Navigating the Relationship Between Two Ways of Knowing
• Pascal’s Wager: Rationality in Belief
• Ineffability: The Challenge of Describing the Divine
• Afterlife Beliefs: Exploring Concepts of Existence Beyond Death
• Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom: A Paradoxical Connection

Philosophy of Science Essay Topics

• The Epistemological Significance of Experimentation in Scientific Inquiry
• The Role of Induction in Scientific Theory Formation
• Metaphysical Implications of Quantum Mechanics
• Ethical Considerations in Scientific Research
• The Nature of Causality in Scientific Explanations
• Time’s Concept in Philosophy of Science
• Observation-Theory Relationship in Scientific Practice
• Social Dimensions of Scientific Knowledge Production
• Underdetermination Problem in Scientific Theories
• Mathematics’ Roles in Scientific Understanding
• Exploring Life and Its Fundamental Principles in Philosophy of Biology
• Objectivity’s Concept in Scientific Inquiry
• Falsification Methodology in Science
• Models and Simulations in Scientific Explanation
• Space’s Philosophy: Examining the Nature of Physical Reality
• Epistemological Status of Scientific Laws
• Explanation’s Concept in Science
• Ethics of Animal Experimentation in Science
• Philosophy of Neuroscience: Understanding Mind and Brain
• Rationality in Scientific Reasoning
• Emergence Concept in Complex Systems Science

Plato Philosophy Essay Topics

• Metaphysical Concepts in Plato’s Philosophy
• Forms and Their Role in Plato’s Theory of Ideas
• Epistemological Foundations: Understanding Plato’s Philosophy
• Ethical Implications: Exploring Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
• Political Idealism: Plato’s Vision in the Republic
• Recollection and Knowledge: Unraveling Plato’s Theory
• The Philosopher-King Concept: Plato’s Ideal Ruler
• Reason and Knowledge: Key Elements in Plato’s Philosophy
• Dialectic Method: Examining Plato’s Dialogues
• Education in Plato’s Philosophy: Unlocking the Mind
• Justice: Plato’s Concept in the Republic
• The Dualistic Nature of the Soul: Plato’s Unique Perspective
• Love’s Philosophy: Analyzing Plato’s Symposium
• Immortality of the Soul: Plato’s View in the Phaedrus
• Beauty’s Essence: Plato’s Philosophical Reflection
• Poetry’s Significance: Exploring Plato’s Republic
• Critique of Democracy: Plato’s Examination of Governance
• Body and Soul Relationship: Plato’s Intriguing Connection
• Mathematics: Plato’s Philosophical Exploration
• Virtue’s Essence: Unpacking Plato’s Ethics

Political Philosophy Essay Topics

• The Role of Democracy in Modern Governance
• Ethical Implications of Political Authority
• Justice and Equality in Political Systems
• Examining the Nature of Political Obligation
• Conceptualizing Freedom in Political Philosophy
• Ethics Surrounding Political Violence
• The Interplay of Ethics and Politics
• State’s Responsibility in Safeguarding Individual Rights
• Justifying Political Authority Legitimacy
• Ethical Challenges in Political Campaigning
• Civil Disobedience as a Democratic Instrument
• Consent as the Basis of Political Legitimacy
• Ethics of Promoting Political Correctness
• Political Philosophy’s Roles in Policy Formation
• Balancing State Intervention in Economic Affairs
• Significance of Political Ideologies in Contemporary Politics
• Moral Foundations of Social Welfare Programs
• Moral Dilemma of Political Power
• Ethics in Global Political Governance
• Educational Influence on Political Philosophy
• Linking Political Stability to Economic Development

Postmodern Philosophy Essay Topics

• Deconstruction and Its Impact on Language
• The Influence of Postmodernism on Contemporary Art
• Identity Construction in the Postmodern Era
• Epistemological Challenges in Postmodern Philosophy
• Postmodern Ethics and the Question of Moral Relativism
• The Role of Power in Postmodern Political Thought
• Postmodernism and the Crisis of Metanarratives
• Language Games and Meaning in Postmodern Philosophy
• The Rejection of Objectivity in Postmodern Thought
• The Relationship Between Postmodernism and Postcolonial Theory
• Aesthetics in the Postmodern Era: The Collapse of Beauty Standards
• The Fragmentation of Self in Postmodern Philosophy
• Deconstructing Gender: Postmodern Feminist Perspectives
• Consumer Culture Critique in Postmodern Philosophy
• Enlightenment Dialectics: Postmodern Interpretations
• Challenging Traditional Design Principles: Postmodern Architecture
• Rethinking Authorship in Postmodernism
• The Critique of Modern Science in Postmodern Philosophy
• Postmodernism and Literary Theory: Influence and Implications
• The Crisis of Representation in Postmodern Visual Arts

Transcendentalism Essay Topics in Philosophy

• The Influence of Nature in Transcendentalist Philosophy
• Self-Reliance: A Core Tenet of Transcendentalism
• Intuition’s Roles in Transcendentalist Thought
• Transcendentalist Perspectives on Divinity
• Individualism vs. Society in Transcendentalism
• Transcendentalism’s Quest for Truth
• Imagination’s Significance in Transcendentalist Philosophy
• Nonconformity as an Ethical Principle in Transcendentalism
• Transcendentalism’s Oversoul Concept
• Transcendentalism’s Impacts on American Literature
• Mind-Body Connection in Transcendentalist Philosophy
• Transcendentalism’s Environmental Ethics
• Seeking Spiritual Enlightenment in Transcendentalism
• The Self in Transcendentalist Thought
• Transcendentalism’s Influence on Civil Disobedience
• Transcendentalism’s Embrace of Immediacy
• Transcendentalism’s Critique of Materialism and Consumerism
• Universal Truths in Transcendentalism
• Art and Spirituality in Transcendentalist Philosophy
• Transcendentalism’s Rejection of Traditional Institutions
• Nonviolence as an Ideal in Transcendentalism

Worldview Philosophy Topics

• Metaphysics of Reality: Exploring the Nature of Existence
• Ethical Dilemmas in a Globalized Society
• Technological Advancements: Ethical Implications and Considerations
• Aesthetics: The Philosophy of Art Appreciation
• Epistemology: Foundations of Scientific Inquiry
• Mind-Body Dualism: Understanding the Relationship
• Reason’s Roles in Ethical Decision-Making
• Identity Construction: Gender, Race, and Social Constructs
• Searching for Meaning in an Absurd Universe
• Free Will’s Significance in Human Action
• Environmental Ethics: Conservation and Sustainability
• Ontological Arguments for God’s Existence
• Philosophy of Language: Meaning and Communication
• Political Authority: Justification and Statehood
• The Problem of Evil: Philosophical Reflections
• Epistemology of Perception: The Limits of Knowledge
• Biomedical Research Ethics: Human Experimentation
• Philosophy of History: Understanding the Past’s Significance
• Temporal Metaphysics: Exploring the Nature of Time
• Authenticity and Personal Freedom: An Existentialist Perspective

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Philosophy essay writing guide

Introduction.

This guide is intended to give new students of philosophy some preliminary advice about writing philosophy essays at university. For many of you, writing a philosophy essay will be something of a new experience, and no doubt many of you will be a little unsure of what to expect, or of what is expected of you. Most of you will have written essays in school for English, History, etc. A philosophy essay is something a little different again. However, it is not an unfathomable, mysterious affair, nor one where anything goes.

Just what a philosophy essay is will depend a lot, as you'd expect, on just what philosophy is. Defining philosophy is always a more or less controversial business, but one way to think of what is done in university philosophy departments is to think of the difference between having a philosophy and doing philosophy. Virtually everyone "has a philosophy" in the sense that we have many basic beliefs about the world and ourselves and use certain key concepts to articulate those beliefs. Many of us initially come to thus "have a philosophy" (or elements of several philosophies) often only unconsciously, or by following "what's obvious" or "what everybody knows", or by adopting a view because it sounds exciting or is intellectually fashionable.

"Doing philosophy", on the other hand, is a self-conscious unearthing and rigorous examination of these basic beliefs and key concepts. In doing so, we try to clarify the meanings of those beliefs and concepts and to evaluate critically their rational grounds or justification. Thus, rather than having their heads in the clouds, philosophers are really more under the surface of our thinking, examining the structures that support - or fail to support - those who trust that they have their feet on the ground. Such examination may even help to develop new and firmer ground.

Doing philosophy, then, begins with asking questions about the fundamental ideas and concepts that inform our ways of looking at the world and ourselves, and proceeds by developing responses to those questions which seek to gain insight into those ideas and concepts - and part of that development consists in asking further questions, giving further responses, and so on. Human beings across the world have been engaged in this sort of dialogue of question and response for many centuries - even millennia - and a number of great traditions of reflection and inquiry have evolved that have fundamentally influenced the development of religion, art, science and politics in many cultures. The influence of philosophical thinking on Western civilization, in particular, can be traced back more than 2,500 years to the Ancient Greeks.

In philosophy, a good essay is one that, among other things, displays a good sense of this dialectic of question and response by asking insightful, probing questions, and providing reasoned, well-argued responses. This means that you should not rest content with merely an unintegrated collection of assertions, but should instead work at establishing logical relations between your thoughts. You are assessed not on the basis of what you believe, but on how well you argue for the position you adopt in your essay, and on how interesting and insightful your discussion of the issues is. That is to say, you are assessed on how well you do philosophy, not on what philosophy you end up having. Nonetheless, you ought to make sure that your essay's discussion is relevant to the topic. (See Section 5.2 below on relevance.)

It is hoped that you enjoy the activity of essay writing. If you have chosen to study Arts, it is likely that you will have a particular interest in - even a passion for - ideas and the variety of forms and genres in which ideas are expressed and explored. The argumentative or discursive formal academic essay is one such form, and one which can be a pleasure to read and to write. Thus, the assessment that is set in philosophy courses is primarily an invitation to you to pursue what is already (or, hopefully, soon to be) your own interest in writing to explore ideas. However, your immediate goal in writing an academic philosophy essay ought not to be to write a personal testament, confession or polemic. Rather, you should primarily aim at articulating, clearly and relatively dispassionately, your philosophical thinking on the topic at hand. Nevertheless, the kind and degree of personal development one can gain from taking up the challenge to think and to write carefully, clearly and thoroughly is certainly something to be greatly valued.

This guide is intended to help you get started in the business of writing philosophy essays. As you practise your philosophical writing skills, you will develop your own technique, and learn what is appropriate in each particular case. So you may well come to "work around" many of these guidelines. Nonetheless, it is important that you pass through that which you seek to pass beyond.* In addition to your own writing, your reading of other philosophers will help you to develop your sense of what constitutes good philosophical writing. As you read, note the various styles and techniques that philosophical authors employ in their treatment of philosophical issues. Practice and studying good examples, then, are the most valuable ways to develop your essay writing skills.

This guide is, moreover, only one of many publications that introduce philosophy students to essay writing. Some others you may like to consult include:

• A. P. Martinich, Philosophical Writing, 2nd ed. (Oxford: Blackwell, 1997)
• J. Feinberg and R. Shafer-Landau, Doing Philosophy: A Guide to the Writing of Philosophy Papers, 2nd ed. (Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 2001)
• Z. Seech, Writing Philosophy Papers, 4th ed. (Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 2003)
• R. Solomon, "Writing Philosophy", Appendix to his The Big Questions: A Short Introduction to Philosophy, 6th ed. (Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 2001)
• S. Gorovitz et al., Philosophical Analysis: An Introduction to its Language and Techniques, 3rd ed. (New York: Random House, 1979)

Also, the websites of many philosophy departments in universities around Australia and the world contain downloadable essay writing guides or links to them.

*This phrase is adapted from Jacques Bouveresse, "Why I am so very unFrench", in Alan Montefiore, ed., Philosophy in France Today (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983), p. 12.

What do I do in a Philosophy essay?

Philosophy essay topics are not designed to provide an intellectual obstacle course that trips you up so as to delight a malicious marker. They are designed to invite you to "grapple with" with some particular philosophical problem or issue. That is to say, they are designed to offer you an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of a particular philosophical problem or issue, and to exhibit your own philosophical skills of analysis, argumentation, etc. These twin goals are usually best achieved by ensuring that your essay performs two basic functions (your understanding and your skills apply to both):

an exposition of the problem or issue in question (often as it is posed in some particular text); and a critical discussion of the problem or text

These two functions can, but need not always, correspond to physically or structurally distinct sections of your essay. See Section 5.1.

The expository ("setting forth") aspect of your essay is where you should make clear what the issue is and why it is an issue. Where you are dealing with an issue as it is presented in some particular text, your aim should be to make clear what it is that the author in question meant in their text, what they see as the issue and why they see it as an issue. This does not involve merely quoting or paraphrasing a text. Of course, occasional quotation and paraphrase may be appropriate - sometimes necessary - but these ought not to constitute the sole or major content of your exposition. Where you do quote or paraphrase, make sure you attribute your sources in footnotes or endnotes. (See Section 7.)

Exposition is, then, primarily a matter of developing in your own words what you think the issue is or what you think the text means. In all expository work you should always try to give a fair and accurate account of a text or problem, even when the exposition becomes more interpretive rather than simply descriptive. You ought to be patient and sympathetic in your exposition, even if you intend later to criticise heavily the philosopher in question. Indeed, the better the exposition in this regard, usually the more effective the critique.

An important part of exposition is your analysis of the text or issue. Here you should try to "break down" the text, issue or problem into its constitutive elements by distinguishing its different parts. (E.g. "There are two basic kinds of freedom in question when we speak of freedom of the will. First, … . Second, …", or "There are three elements in Plato's conception of the soul, namely... He establishes these three elements by means of the following two arguments... ") This also involves showing the relationships between those elements, relationships which make them "parts of the whole".

As well as laying out these elements within a text or issue, you can also (when appropriate or relevant) show how a text or issue "connects up with" other texts, issues, or philosophical and/or historical developments, which can help to shed further light on the matter by giving it a broader context. (eg "Freedom of the will is importantly connected to the justification of punishment", or "Plato's tripartite theory of the soul bears interesting resemblances to Freud's analysis of the psyche", or "Kant's transcendental idealism can be seen as reconciling the preceding rationalist and empiricist accounts of knowledge".)

An exposition of a text need not always simply follow the author's own view of what it means. You should, of course, demonstrate that you understand how the author themself understands their work, but an exposition can sometimes go beyond this, giving another reading of the text. (eg "Heidegger might deny it, but his Being and Time can be read as developing a pragmatist account of human understanding.") A given text or issue may well be susceptible to a number of plausible or reasonable interpretations. An exposition should aim to be sensitive to such variety. When appropriate, you should defend your interpretations against rivals and objections. Your interpretation ought, though, to be aimed at elucidating the meaning or meanings of the text or issue and not serve merely as a "coat-hanger" for presenting your own favoured views on the matter in question, which should be left to your ...

Critical discussion

This is where your thought gets more of the centre stage. Here you should attempt to develop a response to the issues which your exposition has made clear, and/or, in the case of a discussion of some particular text, attempt to give a critical appraisal of the author's treatment of the issue. In developing a response to a philosophical problem, argumentation is, again, of central importance. Avoid making unsupported assertions; back up your claims with reasons, and connect up your ideas so that they progress logically toward your conclusions. Consider some of the various objections to and questions about your views that others might or have put forward, and try to respond to them in defence of your own line of thinking. Your goal here should be to discuss what you have expounded so as to come to some conclusion or judgement about it. ("Critical" is derived from the Ancient Greek for "to decide, to judge".) Critical discussion is thus not necessarily "destructive" or "negative"; it can be quite constructive and positive.

In the case of a critical appraisal of a particular author's text, you can negatively criticise the author's arguments by pointing out questionable assumptions, invalid reasoning, etc. If, on the other hand, you think that the text is good, then your critical discussion can be positive. This can be done by revealing its "hidden virtues" (that is, by showing that there is more to the author's arguments and views than what lies on the surface) and/or by defending an author against possible and/or actual criticisms. (eg "Norman Malcolm argues that Descartes is mistaken in assuming that dreams and waking episodes have the same content.* However, Malcolm fails to appreciate the subtlety of Descartes' argument in the First Meditation, which allows Descartes to claim . . .") Just to expound an author's arguments and then say "I disagree" or "That seems right" is not really enough - you need to "have something to say" about it. Of course, by all means go on, after finding fault with some philosopher, to answer in your own way the questions tackled or raised by the author. (eg "Simone de Beauvoir's analysis of women's oppression in The Second Sex suffers from serious weaknesses, as I have shown in Section 2 above. A better way to approach the issue, I shall now argue, is to . . .".)

Where you are not primarily concerned with evaluating or responding to a particular text, your critical discussion can be more focused on your own constructive response to the issue. (eg "Having used Dworkin's account to clarify the meanings of the concepts of 'the sanctity of life' and 'voluntariness', I shall now argue that voluntary euthanasia is morally permissible because its voluntariness respects what is of value in the notion of the sanctity of life" - where you now leave Dworkin behind as a source and move on to give your own account.)

* See Norman Malcolm, "Dreaming and Skepticism", in Willis Doney, ed., Descartes: A Collection of Critical Essays (London: Macmillan, 1967), p. 56.

Guide to researching and writing Philosophy essays

5th edition by Steven Tudor , for the Philosophy program, University of Melbourne, 2003.

This fifth edition of How to Write a Philosophy Essay: A Guide for Students (previous editions titled A Guide to Researching and Writing Philosophy Essays ) was prepared in consultation with members of the Philosophy program, the University of Melbourne. For advice and assistance on this and earlier editions, thanks are due to Graham Priest, Barry Taylor, Christopher Cordner, Doug Adeney, Josie Winther, Linda Burns, Marion Tapper, Kimon Lycos, Brendan Long, Jeremy Moss, Tony Coady, Will Barrett, Brian Scarlett, and Megan Laverty. Some use was also made of materials prepared by the Philosophy Departments of La Trobe University, the University of Queensland, and The Australian National University.

Disclaimer: University, Faculty and program rules

Please note: this booklet does not provide authoritative statements of the official policies or rules of the University of Melbourne, the Faculty of Arts, or the Philosophy program with regard to student essays and examinations or any other matters. Students should, therefore, not rely on this booklet for such information, for which they should consult the various appropriate notice boards, handbooks, websites, and/or members of staff.

Essay topics

What do philosophy essay topics look like? There are, very roughly, two basic kinds of philosophy essay topics: "text-focused" topics and "problem-focused" topics. Text-focused topics ask you to consider some particular philosopher's writing on some issue. (eg "Discuss critically David Hume's account of causation in Part III of Book I of his A Treatise of Human Nature " or "Was Wittgenstein right to say that 'the meaning of a word is its use in the language', in his Philosophical Investigations, Sec. 43?"). Problem-focused topics are more directly about a particular philosophical problem or issue, without reference to any particular philosopher's text. (eg "Is voluntary euthanasia morally permissible?" or "What is scientific method?")

There is another sort of topic, one which presents a statement and asks you to discuss it, where that statement is a "made up" or, at least, unattributed quote. (eg. "'Without belief in God, people cannot be moral'. Discuss.") I shall regard these as variations of the problem-focused type of topic. Where you are asked to discuss some such statement "with reference to" some specified text or philosopher, then that topic becomes more text-focused. (eg "'Without belief in God, people cannot be moral'. Discuss with reference to J.L. Mackie's Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong. ") Occasionally, a topic presents an unattributed statement, but the statement is, in fact, a quote from a particular philosopher you've been studying, or, at least, a good paraphrase of their thinking. (An example of the latter: "'All the ideas in our minds originate from either sense perception or our reflection upon sensory information.' Discuss.", in a course devoted to John Locke, whose views are summed up in the quoted statement, though those words are not actually his.) Should you take such topics as problem- or text-focused? Rather unhelpfully, I'll say only that it depends on the case. You might ask your lecturer or tutor about it. Whichever way you do take it, be clear in your essay which way you are taking it.

The difference between text-focused and problem-focused essay topics is, however, not very radical. This is because, on the one hand, any particular philosopher's text is about some philosophical problem or question, while, on the other hand, most philosophical problems (certainly virtually all those you will be given as essay topics at university) will have been written about by previous philosophers.

The basic way to approach text-focused topics, then, is to treat the nominated text as an attempt by one philosopher to deal with a particular philosophical problem or issue. The essay topic will, generally speaking, be inviting you to do philosophy with that philosopher, to engage with them in thinking about the issue, whether that engagement proves to be as an ally or an adversary. The chosen text will usually be one which has been (or deserves to be) influential or significant in the history of philosophy, but the task is not to pay homage to past masters. But, even if homage is your thing, the best way to do that here is to engage with the master philosophically.

With regard to problem-focused topics, you will often find your exploration of the problem aided by taking some text or texts which have dealt with it as reference points or prompts. This is not always strictly necessary, but many of you starting out in philosophy will find it helpful to do so - it can help you give focus to your response to the question. (Thus, you might, in an essay on the topic "Is voluntary euthanasia morally permissible?" take it upon yourself to use, for example, Ronald Dworkin's Life's Dominion and Peter Singer's Practical Ethics as reference points. Or, in an essay on the topic "What is scientific method?", you might set up your answer via a comparison of the two different accounts in Karl Popper's The Logic of Scientific Discovery and Paul Feyerabend's Against Method.*) How will you know which texts to adopt as reference points or prompts, if none is mentioned in the essay topic itself? One way is to consider what texts have already been mentioned with regard to the topic in your course reading guide and in lectures and tutorials. Another way is to do some of your own research. On this see Section 4 below.

* In this guide, in giving examples of how to go about answering an essay question, I am not necessarily giving any concrete or reliable advice for any particular topic. The examples are primarily to do with the form or style or strategy you might find helpful.

Researching your essay

To do research for your philosophy essay you need to do only two things: read and think. Actually, for problem-focused essays, thinking is the only truly necessary bit, but it's highly likely that you will find your thinking much assisted if you do some reading as well. Philosophical research at university is a little different to research in most other disciplines (especially the natural sciences), in that it is not really about "collecting data" to support or refute explanatory theories. Rather, the thinking that's involved in philosophical research (as part of one's preparation for philosophical writing) is more a matter of reflecting critically upon the problems in front of one. Researching the writings of other philosophers should, therefore, be primarily directed towards helping you with that reflection rather than aiming at gathering together and reporting on "the relevant findings" on a particular topic. In many other disciplines, a "literature review" is an important research skill, and sometimes philosophy academics do such reviews - but it is rare that philosophy students are asked to do one.

What, then, to read? It should be clear from your lectures and tutorials what some starting points for your reading might be. (All courses provide reading guides; many also have booklets of reading material.) Your tutor and lecturer are also available for consultation on what readings you might begin with for any particular topic in that subject. Independent research can also uncover useful sources, and evidence of this in your essay can be a pleasing sign of intellectual independence. Make sure, though, that what you come up with is relevant to the topic. (See Section 5.2 below on relevance.) Whichever way you proceed, your reading should be purposive and selective.

In the case of essay questions that refer to a particular text, you should familiarise yourself thoroughly with this text. Usually, such a text will be a primary text, i.e. one in which a philosopher writes directly about a philosophical issue. Texts on or about a primary text are called secondary texts. (Many philosophical works will combine these two tasks, and discuss other philosophical texts while also dealing directly with a philosophical issue.) Some secondary texts can be helpful to students. However, don't think you will only ever understand a primary text if you have a nice friendly secondary text to take you by the hand through the primary text. More often than not, you need to have a good grasp of the primary text in order to make sense of the secondary text.

How much to read? The amount of reading you do should be that which maximises the quality of your thinking - that is, you should not swamp yourself with vast slabs of text that you can't digest, but nor should you starve your mind of ideas to chew over. There is, of course, no simple rule for determining this optimal amount. Be wary, though, of falling into the vice of looking for excuses not to read some philosopher or text, as in "Oh, that's boring old religious stuff" or "She's one of those obscure literary feminist types", or "In X Department they laugh at you if you mention those authors in tutes". If someone wants a reason not to think, they'll soon come up with one.

Philosophical writings

Most philosophical writings come in either of two forms: books or articles. Articles appear either in books that are edited anthologies or in academic journals, such as Philosophical Quarterly or Australasian Journal of Philosophy. Some academic journals are also on the internet. Most articles in the journals are written by professional philosophers for professional philosophers; similarly with many books. But by no means let this put you off. Everyone begins philosophy at the deep end - it's really the only kind there is!

There are, however, many books written for student audiences. Some of these are general introductions to philosophy as a whole; others are introductions to particular areas or issues (eg biomedical ethics or philosophy of science). Among the general introductions are various philosophical dictionaries, encyclopedias and "companions". These reference works collect short articles on a wide range of topics and can be very useful starting points for newcomers to a topic. Among the most useful of the general reference works are:

• Edward Craig, ed., The Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy (10 vols.) (London: Routledge, 1998)
• Paul Edwards, ed., The Encyclopedia of Philosophy (8 vols.) (New York: Macmillan, 1967)
• Robert Audi, ed., The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, 2nd ed. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999)
• Ted Honderich, ed., The Oxford Companion to Philosophy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995)
• Simon Blackburn, The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996)
• Thomas Mautner, ed., The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy (London: Penguin, 1998)
• J.O. Urmson and Jonathan Ree, eds., The Concise Encyclopedia of Western Philosophy and Philosophers (London: Routledge, 1993)
• Edward N. Zalta, ed., The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (an internet-based reference work: plato.stanford.edu/ )

Note taking

Note taking, like your reading, should not be random, but ought to be guided by the topic in question and by your particular lines of response to the issues involved. Note taking for philosophy is very much an individual art, which you develop as you progress. By and large it is not of much use to copy out reams of text as part of your researches. Nor is it generally helpful to read a great number of pages without making any note of what they contain for future reference. But between these two extremes it is up to you to find the mean that best helps you in getting your thoughts together.

Libraries and electronic resources

The University's Baillieu Library (including the Institute of Education Resource Centre), which is open to all members of the University, contains more than 2,500 years' worth of philosophical writings. The best way to become acquainted with them is by using them, including using the catalogues (including the Baillieu's on-line catalogues and subject resources web-pages), following up a work's references (and references in the references), intelligent browsing of the shelves, etc.

In the main Baillieu Library, the philosophical books are located (mostly) between 100–199 in the Dewey decimal system, and philosophical journals are located in the basement. The Reference section on the ground floor also has some relevant works. The Education Resource Centre also has a good philosophy collection.

In addition to hard-copy philosophical writings, there is also a variety of electronic resources in philosophy, mostly internet-based. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy was already mentioned above. Links to other useful internet sites (such as the Australasian Association of Philosophy website) can be found through the Baillieu Library's web-page and the Philosophy Department's web-page.

A strong word of warning, however, for the would-be philosophical web-surfer: because anyone can put material on a website, all kinds of stuff, of varying levels of quality, is out there - and new-comers to philosophy are usually not well placed to sort their way through it. Unless you have a very good understanding of what you're looking for - and what you're not looking for - most of you will be much better off simply carefully reading and thinking about a central text for your course, eg Descartes' First Meditation, rather than wandering about the internet clicking on all the hits for "Descartes". Exercise your mind, not your index finger.

Writing your essay

Planning and structuring your essay.

It is very important that you plan your essay, so that you have an idea of what you are going to write before you start to write it. Of course, you will most likely alter things in later drafts, but you should still start off by having a plan. Planning your essay includes laying out a structure. It is very important that your essay has a clearly discernible structure, ie that it is composed of parts and that these parts are logically connected. This helps both you and your reader to be clear about how your discussion develops, stage by stage, as you work through the issues at hand.

Poor essay structure is one of the most common weaknesses in student philosophy essays. Taking the time to work on the structure of your essay is time well spent, especially since skill in structuring your thoughts for presentation to others should be among the more enduring things you learn at university. A common trap that students fall into is to start their essay by writing the first sentence, then writing another one that seems to follow that one, then another one that sort of fits after that one, then another that might or might not have some connection with the previous one, and so on until the requisite 1,500 words are used up. The result is usually a weak, rambling essay.

There are, of course, no hard and fast rules about how to structure a philosophy essay. Again, it is a skill you develop through practice, and much will depend on the particular topic at hand. Nonetheless, it might be helpful to begin by developing an essay structure around the basic distinction between your exposition and your critical discussion (as discussed above). In this it will be important that you make clear who is putting forward which point, that is, make it clear whether you are presenting your own thoughts or are expounding someone else's. (Again, confusion in this regard is a common problem in student essays.) It can often help your structuring if you provide headings for different sections (possibly numbered or lettered). Again, this helps both your reader to follow your discussion and you to develop your thoughts. At each stage, show clearly the logical relations between and the reasons for your points, so that your reader can see clearly why you say what you say and can see clearly the development in your discussion.

Another key to structuring your essay can be found in the old adage "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em. Tell 'em. Then tell 'em what you've told 'em", which provides you with a ready-made structure: Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion.

In your Introduction, first introduce the issues the essay is concerned with. In doing so, try to state briefly just what the problem is and (if there is space) why it is a problem. This also applies, of course, to issues covered in text-focused essay topics. Next, tell the reader what it is that you are going to do about those problems in the Main Body. This is usually done by giving a brief sketch or overview of the main points you will present, a "pre-capitulation", so to speak, of your essay's structure. This is one way of showing your reader that you have a grasp (indeed, it helps you get a grasp) of your essay as a structured and integrated whole, and gives them some idea of what to expect by giving them an idea of how you have decided to answer the question. Of course, for reasons of space, your Introduction might not be very long, but something along these lines is likely to be useful.

In your Main Body, do what you've said you'll do. Here is where you should present your exposition(s) and your critical discussion(s). Thus, it is here that the main philosophical substance of your essay is to be found. Of course, what that substance is and how you will present it will depend on the particular topic before you. But, whatever the topic, make clear at each stage just what it is you are doing. You can be quite explicit about this. (eg "I shall now present Descartes' ontological argument for the existence of God, as it is presented in his Fifth Meditation. There will be three stages to this presentation.") Don't think that such explicitness must be a sign of an unsophisticated thinker.

A distinct Conclusion is perhaps not always necessary, if your Main Body has clearly "played out" your argument. So you don't always have to present a grand summation or definitive judgement at the end. Still, often for your own sake, try to state to yourself what it is your essay has achieved and see if it would be appropriate to say so explicitly. Don't feel that you must come up with earth-shattering conclusions. Of course, utter banality or triviality are not good goals, either. Also, your essay doesn't always have to conclude with a "solution" to a problem. Sometimes, simply clarifying an issue or problem is a worthy achievement and can merit first-class honours. A good conclusion to a philosophy essay, then, will usually combine a realistic assessment of the ambit and cogency of its claims with a plausible proposal that those claims have some philosophical substance.

What you write in your essay should always be relevant to the question posed. This is another common problem in student essays, so continually ask yourself "Am I addressing the question here?" First-class answers to a question can vary greatly, but you must make sure that your essay responds to the question asked, even if you go on to argue that the question as posed is itself problematic. (eg "To ask ‘What is scientific method?' presupposes that science follows one basic method. However, I shall argue that there are, in fact, several different scientific methods and that these are neither unified nor consistent.") Be wary, however, of twisting a topic too far out of shape in order to fit your favoured theme. (You would be ill-advised, for example, to proceed thus: "What is scientific method? This is a question asked by many great minds. But what is a mind? In this essay, I shall discuss the views of Thomas Aquinas on the nature of mind.")

This requirement of relevance is not intended as an authoritarian constraint on your intellectual freedom. It is part of the skill of paying sustained and focused attention to something put before you - which is one of the most important skills you can develop at university. If you do have other philosophical interests that you want to pursue (such as Aquinas on mind), then please do pursue them, in addition to writing your essay on the set topic. At no stage does the requirement of relevance prevent you from pursuing your other interests.

Citing Philosophical "Authorities"

There might be occasions when you want to quote other philosophers and writers apart from when you are quoting them because they are the subject of your essay. There are two basic reasons why you might want to do this. First, you might quote someone because their words constitute a good or exemplary expression or articulation of an idea you are dealing with, whether as its proponent, critic, or simply its chronicler. (eg "As Nietzsche succinctly put the point, 'There are no moral phenomena at all, only a moral interpretation of phenomena'.*") You may or may not want to endorse the idea whose good expression you have quoted, but simply want to use the philosopher as a spokesperson for or example of that view. But be clear about what you think the quote means and be careful about what you are doing with the quote. It won't do all the work for you.

The second reason you might want to quote a philosopher is because you think their words constitute an "authoritative statement" of a view. Here you want to use the fact that, eg Bertrand Russell maintained that there are two kinds of knowledge of things (namely, knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description) in support of your claim that there are two such kinds of knowledge of things. However, be very careful in doing this, for the nature of philosophical authority is not so simple here. That is to say, what really matters is not that Bertrand Russell the man held that view; what matters are his reasons for holding that view. So, when quoting philosophers for this second reason, be careful that you appreciate in what exactly the authority lies - which means that you should show that you appreciate why Russell maintained that thesis. Of course, you can't provide long arguments for every claim you make or want to make use of; every essay will have its enabling but unargued assumptions. But at least be clear about these. (eg "For the purposes of this essay, I shall adopt Russell's thesis* that ...").

* Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, trans. R.J. Hollingdale (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1973 [first German ed.1886]), Sec. 108.

* See Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1967 [first pub. 1912]), Ch. 5.

Philosophy is by its nature a relatively abstract and generalising business. (Note that abstractness and generality are not the same thing. Nor do vagueness and obscurity automatically attend them.) Sometimes a longish series of general ideas and abstract reasonings can become difficult for the reader (and often the writer) to follow. It can often help, therefore, to use some concrete or specific examples in your discussion. (Note that there can be different levels of concreteness and specificity in examples.)

Examples can be taken from history, current events, literature, and so on, or can be entirely your own invention. Exactly what examples you employ and just how and why you use them will, of course, depend on the case. Some uses might be: illustration of a position, problem or idea to help make it clearer; evidence for, perhaps even proof of, a proposition; a counter-example; a case-study to be returned to at various points during the essay; or a problem for a theory or viewpoint to be applied to. Again, be clear about what the example is and how and why you use it. Be careful not to get distracted by, or bogged down in, your examples. Brevity is usually best.

English expression

There's another old saying: "If you can't say what you mean, then you can't mean what you say" - and this very much applies to philosophical writing. Thus, in writing philosophically, you must write clearly and precisely. This means that good philosophical writing requires a good grasp of the language in which it is written, including its grammar and vocabulary. (See Section 9.3 for advice for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.) A high standard of writing skills is to be expected of Arts graduates. Indeed, this sort of skill will last longer than your memory of, for example, the three parts of the Platonic soul (though it is also hoped that some of the content of what you study will also stick). So use your time at university (in all your subjects) to develop these skills further.

Having a mastery of a good range of terms, being sensitive to the subtleties of their meaning, and being able to construct grammatically correct and properly punctuated sentences are essential to the clear articulation and development of your thoughts. Think of grammar, not as some old-fashioned set of rules of linguistic etiquette, but rather as the "internal logic" of a sentence, that is, as the relationships between the words within a sentence which enable them to combine to make sense.

Virtually all sentences in philosophical writing are declarative (ie. make statements), as opposed to interrogative, imperative or exclamatory types of sentences. There is some place, though, for interrogative sentences, ie. questions. (Note that, in contrast, this guide, which is not in the essay genre, contains many imperative sentences, ie. commands.) As you craft each (declarative) sentence in your essay, remember the basics of sentence construction. Make clear what the sentence is about (its subject) and what you are saying about it (the predicate). Make clear what the principal verb is in the predicate, since it is what usually does the main work in saying something about the subject. Where a sentence consists of more than one clause (as many do in philosophical writing), make clear what work each clause is doing. Attend closely, then, to each and every sentence you write so that its sense is clear and is the sense you intend it to have. Think carefully about what it is you want each particular sentence to do (in relation to both those sentences immediately surrounding it and the essay as a whole) and structure your sentence so that it does what you want it to do. To help you with your own sentence construction skills, when reading others' philosophical works (or indeed any writing) attend closely to the construction of each sentence so as to be alive to all the subtleties of the text.

Good punctuation is an essential part of sentence construction. Its role is to help to display the grammar of a sentence so that its meaning is clear. As an example of how punctuation can fundamentally change the grammar and, hence, meaning of a sentence, compare (i) "Philosophers, who argue for the identity of mind and brain, often fail to appreciate the radical consequences of that thesis." and (ii) "Philosophers who argue for the identity of mind and brain often fail to appreciate the radical consequences of that thesis." In the first sentence it is asserted (falsely, as it happens) that all philosophers argue for the identity of mind and brain; in the second, only some philosophers are said to argue for the identity of mind and brain. Only the punctuation differs in the two strings of identical words, and yet the meanings of the sentences are very different. Confusions over this sort of thing are common weaknesses in student essays, and leave readers asking themselves "What exactly is this student trying to say?"

It will be assumed that you can spell - which is not a matter of pressing the "spell-check" key on a word-processor. A good dictionary and a good thesaurus should always be within reach as you write your essay.

Also, try to shorten and simplify sentences where you can do so without sacrificing the subtlety and inherent complexity of the discussion. Where a sentence is becoming too long or complex, it is likely that too many ideas are being bundled up together too closely. Stop and separate your ideas out. If an idea is a good or important one, it will usually deserve its own sentence.

Your "intra-sentential logic" should work very closely with the "inter-sentential logic" of your essay, ie. with the logical relations between your sentences. (This "inter-sentential logic" is what "logic" is usually taken to refer to.) For example, to enable sentences P and Q to work together to yield sentence R as a conclusion, you need to make clear that there are elements within P and Q which connect up to yield R. Consider the following example: "Infanticide is the intentional killing of a human being. However, murder is regarded by all cultures as morally abhorrent. Therefore, people who commit infanticide should be punished." This doesn't work as an argument, because the writer has not constructed sentences which provide the connecting concepts in the various subjects and predicates, even though each sentence is grammatically correct (and possibly even true).

If you are concerned to write not only clearly and precisely, but also with some degree of grace and style (and I hope you are), it's still best to get the clarity and precision right first, in a plain, straightforward way, and then to polish things up afterwards to get the style and grace you want. But don't sacrifice clarity and precision for the sake of style and grace - be prepared to sacrifice that beautiful turn of phrase if its presence is going to send your discussion down an awkward path of reasoning. Aim to hit the nail on the head rather than make a loud bang. What you are likely to find, however, is that a philosophy essay which really is clear and precise will have a large measure of grace and style in its very clarity and precision.

Remember that obscurity is not a sign of profundity. (Some profound thought may well be difficult to follow, but that doesn't mean that one can achieve profundity merely through producing obscure, difficult-to-read writing.) Your marker is interested in what's actually in your essay, not what's possibly inside your head (or indeed what's possibly in some book you happen to have referred to in your essay). So avoid hinting at or alluding suggestively to ideas, especially where they are meant to do some important work in your essay. Instead, lay them out explicitly and directly. Of course, you won't have space to spell out every single idea, so work out which ideas do the most important work and make sure that you at least get those ideas clearly articulated. In expounding a text or problem that ultimately just is vague, muddled, or obscure, try to convey such vagueness, muddle or obscurity clearly, rather than simply reproducing it in your own writing. That is, be clear that and how a text or problem has such features, and then perhaps do your best to make matters clearer.

Despite these stern pronouncements, don't be afraid of sometimes saying things which happen to sound a little odd, if you have tried various formulations and think you have now expressed your ideas just as they should be expressed. Philosophy is often an exploratory business, and new ways of seeing and saying things can sometimes be a part of that exploration.

The need for clarity and precision in philosophical writing sometimes means that you need to stipulate your own meaning for a term. When you want to use a particular word in a particular way for the purposes of your essay - as a "technical term" - be clear about it. (eg "In this essay, I shall intend ‘egoism' to mean ...") Also, be consistent in your technical meanings, or else note when you are not. Be wary, though, of inventing too many neologisms or being too idiosyncratic in your stipulations.

With regard to what "authorial pronoun" to adopt in a philosophy essay, it's standard to write plainly in the first person singular ("I", "me", "my", etc.) rather than use the royal "we" (as in "we shall argue that ..."), or the convoluted quasi-legal indirect form ("It is submitted that ..."), or the scientific objectivity of a physics experimental report. Nonetheless, stick closer to "I argue", "I suggest", "my definition", etc., than to "I wish", "I hate", "my feeling", etc. A philosophy essay is still something more intellectual and formal than a personal reminiscence, polemic, or proclamation. In terms of audience, it's probably best to think of your reader as someone who is intelligent, open to discussion and knows a little about the topic you're writing on, but perhaps is not quite clear or decided about the issues, or needs convincing of the view you want to put forward, or is curious about what you think about the issues.

Try also to use non-discriminatory language, ie. language which does not express or imply inequality of worth between people on the basis of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and so on. As you write, you will be considering carefully your choice of words to express your thoughts. You will almost always find that it is possible to avoid discriminatory language by rephrasing your sentences.

Other things to avoid:

• waffle and padding
• vagueness and ambiguity
• abbreviations (this guide I'm writing isn't an eg. of what's req'd. in a phil. essay)
• colloquialisms (which can really get up your reader's nose)
• writing whose syntax merely reflects the patterns of informal speech
• unnecessary abstractness or indirectness
• unexplained jargon
• flattery and invective
• overly-rhetorical questions (do you really need me to tell you what they are?) and other flourishes

There are many guides to good writing available. Anyone who writes (whether in the humanities or the sciences, whether beginners or experienced professionals) will do well to have some on hand. Most good bookshops and libraries will have some. Among the most consulted works are (check for the latest editions):

• J. M. Williams and G. C. Colomb, Style: Toward Clarity and Grace (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995)
• W. Strunk and E. B. White, The Elements of Style, 4th ed. (New York: Longman, 2000)
• E. Gowers, The Complete Plain Words, 3rd ed. (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1987)
• R. W. Burchfield, ed., The New Fowler's Modern English Usage (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996)
• Pam Peters, The Cambridge Australian English Style Guide (Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 1995)
• Australian Government Publishing Service, Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers, 5th ed. (Canberra: AGPS, 1995)

Vocabulary of logical argument

Closely related to the above points about English expression is the importance of having a good grasp of what can rather generally be called "the vocabulary of logical argument". These sorts of terms are crucial in articulating clearly and cogently a logical line of argument. Such argumentation will, of course, be of central importance in whatever discipline you are studying, indeed in any sphere of life that requires effective thinking and communication. I have in mind terms such as these (grouped a little loosely):

all, any, every, most, some, none, a, an, the that, this, it, he, she, they if . . . , then. . . ; if and only if . . . , then . . . ; unless either . . . or . . .; neither . . . nor . . . not, is, are therefore, thus, hence, so, because, since, follows, entails, implies, infer, consequence, conditional upon moreover, furthermore which, that, whose and, but, however, despite, notwithstanding, nevertheless, even, though, still possibly, necessarily, can, must, may, might, ought, should true, false, probable, certain sound, unsound, valid, invalid, fallacious, supported, proved, contradicted, rebutted, refuted, negated logical, illogical, reasonable, unreasonable, rational, irrational assumption, premise, belief, claim, proposition argument, reason, reasoning, evidence, proof

Most of these are quite simple terms, but they are crucial in argumentative or discursive writing of all kinds. (Many are themselves the subject of study in logic, a branch of philosophy). The sloppy use of these sorts of terms is another common weakness in students' philosophy essays. Pay close and careful attention to how you employ them. Moreover, pay close and careful attention to how the authors you read use them. For further discussion of some of these terms and others, see:

• Basic Philosophical Vocabulary, prepared by the staff of the Philosophy Department and available from the programs Office
• Wesley C. Salmon, Logic, 2nd ed. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1973)
• Antony Flew, Thinking About Thinking (London: Fontana, 1985)
• Graham Priest, Logic: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000)
• Joel Rudinow and Vincent E. Barry, Invitation to Critical Thinking, 4th ed. (Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt Brace, 1999)

Revising your essay

It is virtually essential that you write a first draft of your essay and then work on that draft to work towards your finished essay. Indeed, several drafts may well be necessary in order to produce your best possible work. It is a rare philosopher indeed who can get things perfectly right on the first attempt, so be prepared to revise and re-develop what you write. Don't be too precious about what you have written, if it appears that it should be sacrificed in the revision process. There is usually a very marked difference between essays which are basically first draft rush-jobs done the night before they are due and those which have been revised and polished. Give yourself time to revise by starting writing early on. For most philosophy students, the greater part of the work in essay writing is in the writing, not in the preliminary researches and planning stages. So be wary of thinking "I've done all the research. I only need to write up my notes, which I can do the night before the essay's due". This is likely to lead to a weak, perhaps non-existent, essay (and very likely a sleepless night).

Stick to the word limit given for your essay. Why are word limits imposed? First, to give the markers a fair basis for comparing student essays. Second, to give you the opportunity to practise the discipline of working creatively under constraints. Skill in this discipline will stand you in very good stead in any sphere where circumstances impose limitations. Again, word limits are not constraints on your intellectual freedom. Outside your essay you are free to write without limit. But even there you'll probably find that your creativity is improved by working under a self-imposed discipline.

As a general rule, most student essays that fall well short of the word limit are weak or lazy attempts at the task, and most essays that go well over the limit are not much stronger or the result of much harder work - the extra length is often due to unstructured waffle or padding which the writer hasn't thought enough about so as to edit judiciously. If you structure your essay clearly, you'll find it easier to revise and edit, whether in order to contract or expand it. ("Hmm, let's see: section 2 is much longer than section 4, but is not as important, so I'll cut it down. And I should expand section 3, because that's a crucial step. And I can shift that third paragraph in the Introduction to the Conclusion.")

Plagiarism and originality

Plagiarism is essentially a form of academic dishonesty or cheating. At university level, such dishonesty is not tolerated and is dealt with severely, usually by awarding zero marks for a plagiarised essay or, in some cases, dismissing a student from the university.

When you submit your essay, you are implicitly stating that the essay is your own original and independent work, that you have not submitted the same work for assessment in another subject, and that where you have made use of other people's work, this is properly acknowledged. If you know that this is not in fact the case, you are being dishonest. (In a number of university departments, students are in fact required to sign declarations of academic honesty.)

Plagiarism is the knowing but unacknowledged use of work by someone else (including work by another student, and indeed oneself - see below) and which is being presented as one's own work. It can take a number of forms, including:

• copying : exactly reproducing another's words
• paraphrasing : expressing the meaning of another's words in different words
• summarising : reproducing the main points of another's argument
• cobbling : copying, paraphrasing or summarising the work of a number of different people and piecing them together to produce one body of text
• submitting one's own work when it has already been submitted for assessment in another subject
• collusion : presenting an essay as your own independent work when in fact it has been produced, in whole or part, in collusion with one or more other people

None of the practices of copying, paraphrasing, summarizing or cobbling is wrong in itself, but when one or more is done without proper acknowledgment it constitutes plagiarism. Therefore, all sources must be adequately and accurately acknowledged in footnotes or endnotes. (See Section 7.) Plagiarism from the internet in particular can be a temptation for a certain kind of student. However, be warned: there is a number of very good internet and software tools for identifying plagiarism.

With regard to collusion, it's undoubtedly often very helpful to discuss one's work with others, be it other students, family members, friends or teachers. Indeed, philosophy thrives on dialogue. However, don't kid yourself that you would simply be extending that process if you were to ask your interlocutor to join with you in the writing of your essay, whether by asking them to tell you what you should write or to write down some of their thoughts for you to reproduce in your essay. At the end of the day, you must be the one to decide what goes into your essay.

Originality

Students sometimes worry about whether they will be able to develop "original ideas", especially in light of the fact that nearly every philosophical idea one comes up with seems to have been thought of before by someone else. There is no denying that truly original work in philosophy is well rewarded, but your first aim should be to develop ideas that you think are good and not merely different. If, after arguing for what you believe is right, and arguing in way that you think is good, you then discover that someone else has had the same idea, don't throw your work away - you should feel vindicated to some extent that your thinking has been congruent with that of another (possibly great) philosopher. (If you have not yet handed your essay in when you make this discovery, make an appropriately placed note to that effect.) Don't be fooled, however, into thinking that plagiarism can be easily passed off as congruent thinking. Of course, if that other philosopher's ideas have helped you to develop your ideas, then this is not a matter of congruent ideas but rather of derivative ideas, and this must be adequately acknowledged. If, after developing your ideas, you discover that they are original, then that is an added bonus. But remember that it is more important to be a good philosopher than an original one.

Quotations, footnotes, endnotes and bibliography

Quotations in your essay should be kept to a minimum. The markers know the central texts pretty well already and so don't need to have pages thereof repeated in front of them. Of course, some quotation will usually be important and useful - sometimes essential - in both exposition and critical discussion.

When you quote the words of someone else directly, you must make the quotation clearly distinct from your own text, using quotation marks . (eg "Descartes said that 'it is prudent never to trust completely those who have deceived us even once.'* He makes this claim …" - where the words quoted from Descartes are in 'single quotation marks'. Note that it is relatively arbitrary whether one uses 'single' or "double" quotation marks for "first order" quotations, but whichever style you adopt, use it consistently in the one essay.) Alternatively, where the quoted passage is greater than three lines, put the quoted words in a separate indented paragraph , so that your essay would look like this:

In his First Meditation , Descartes argues as follows:

Whatever I have up till now accepted as most true I have acquired either from the senses or through the senses. But from time to time I have found that the senses deceive, and it is prudent never to trust completely those who have deceived us even once.* In this essay I shall argue that prudence does not in fact require us to distrust our senses and that Descartes's sceptical method is therefore seriously flawed.

In both cases, the quotations must be given proper referencingin a footnote or endnote.

When you are not quoting another person directly, but are still making use of their work - as in indirect quotations (eg "Descartes says that it is wise not to trust something that has deceived us before"*), paraphrases, summaries, and cobblings - you must still acknowledge your debts, using footnotes or endnotes.

* Rene Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy , trans. John Cottingham (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986 [first French ed., 1641]), p. 12.

Footnotes and endnotes

Footnotes appear at the foot of the same page on which the cited material appears, clearly separated from the main body of the text, each one clearly numbered. Endnotes appear at the end of the essay, again clearly separated from the main body of text, numbered and headed "Endnotes" or "Notes". Either method is acceptable, but you should choose one and stick with it throughout the one essay.

Below are some examples of how to put the relevant referencing information in footnotes and endnotes. This is not intended as an exercise in pedantry, but as a guide to how to provide the information needed for adequate referencing. The reason we provide this information is to enable our readers to find the sources we use in order to verify them and to allow them to pursue the material further if it interests them. In your own researches you will come to value good referencing in the texts you read as a helpful source of further references on a topic. Again, it is this sort of research skill that an Arts graduate will be expected to have mastered.

There are various conventions for writing up footnotes and endnotes. The Philosophy Department does not require that any particular convention be followed, only that you be consistent in your use of the convention that you do choose. For other conventions see the style guides mentioned above, or simply go to some texts published by reputable publishers and see what formats they employ.

Imagine, then, that the following are endnotes at the end of your essay. I will explain them below.

• James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy , 2nd ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993), p. 25.
• Philippa Foot, "Moral Relativism", in Michael Krausz and Jack W. Meiland, eds., Relativism: Cognitive and Moral (Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1982), p. 155.
• Ibid., p. 160.
• Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, trans. H. J. Paton (New York: Harper and Row, 1964 [first German ed., 1785]), p. 63.
• Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, (London: Dent, 1973 [first pub. 1651]),p. 65.
• Rachels, The Elements, p. 51.
• Peter Winch, "The Universalizability of Moral Judgements", The Monist 49 (1965), p. 212.
• Antony Duff, "Legal Punishment", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2001 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2001/entries/legal-punishment/ at 15 June 2003, sec. 6.

Notes explained

• This is your first reference to a book called The Elements of Moral Philosophy. The title is given in full and in italics. If you are unable to use italics, then you should underline the title. The book's author is James Rachels. It's the 2nd edition of that book, which was published in New York, by the publishers McGraw-Hill, in 1993. The page you have referred to in your main text is page 25
• This is your first reference to Philippa Foot's article, "Moral Relativism", the title of which is put in "quotation marks". This article appeared in a book (title in italics) which is an anthology of different articles, and which was edited by Krausz and Meiland (names in full). The rest is in the same style as note (1)
• "Ibid." is short for "ibidem", which means "in the same place" in Latin. Use it on its own when you want to refer to exactly the same work and page number as in the immediately preceding note. So here the reference is again to Foot's article at page 155
• Ditto, except this time you refer to a different page in Foot's article, namely page 160
• This is reference to a book by Kant. Same book details as per note (1), except that, because this is a translation, you include the translator's name, and the date of the first edition in the original language
• This is a book reference again, so it's the same as note (1), except that, because it's an old book, you include the date of the original edition. (How old does a book have to be before it merits this treatment? There is no settled view. Note, though, that this convention is not usually followed for ancient authors)
• Here you are referring to Rachels' book again, but, because you are not in the very next note after a reference to it, you can't use "ibid.". Simply give the author's surname and a short title of the book, plus page reference. There is also a common alternative to this, whereby you give the surname, and write "op. cit." (which is short for "opere citato", which is Latin for "in the work already cited") and page reference (eg "Rachels, op. cit., p. 51.") Your reader then has to scan back over the notes to see what that "op." was exactly. The first option (author plus short title) is usually easier on the reader
• This is a reference to an article by Peter Winch in a journal called The Monist. The article's title is in "quotes", the journal title is in italics. The volume of the journal is 49, the year of publication is 1965, the page referred to is p. 212
• This is a reference to an article in the internet-based Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The article is titled "Legal Punishment" and was written by Antony Duff. The Encyclopedia was edited by Edward N. Zalta. Note that I have basically followed the mode of citation that the Encyclopedia itself recommends. (This is one sign of the site being a reputable one. Where a site makes such a recommendation, it's best to follow it.) I have, however, also added the date on which the article was retrieved from the site, and put the author's given name first, to be consistent with the other footnotes. I have also added the reference to section 6, in an effort to be more precise as to where in the article the material I used came from. Since web pages aren't numbered in the manner of hard copy works, it will help if you are able to refer to some other feature, such as paragraphs or sections, so as to pin-point your reference. In the absence of a site recommending a mode of citation to its own material, the basic information needed for adequate citation of internet-based material is (where identifiable) the author, the document title, the year the document was created, the website name, the uniform resource locator (URL) in <arrow-brackets>, date of retrieval, and a pin-point reference*

* I am here following the mode of citation of internet materials recommended in Melbourne University Law Review Association Inc, Australian Guide to Legal Citation , 2nd ed. (Melbourne: Melbourne University Law Review Association Inc, 2002), pp. 70-73. I have, though, added the desirability of a pin-point reference.

Bibliography

At the end of your essay (after your endnotes, if used) you should list in a bibliography all of the works referred to in your notes, as well as any other works you consulted in researching and writing your essay. The list should be in alphabetical order, going by authors' surnames. The format should be the same as for your notes, except that you drop the page references and should put surnames first. So the bibliography of our mock-essay above would look like this:

• Duff, Antony, "Legal Punishment", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2001 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2001/entries/legal-punishment/ at 15 June 2003
• Foot, Philippa, "Moral Relativism", in Michael Krausz and Jack Meiland, eds., Relativism: Cognitive and Moral (Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1982)
• Hobbes, Thomas, Leviathan (London: Dent, 1973 [first pub.1651])
• Kant, Immanuel, Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals , trans. H.J. Paton (New York: Harper and Row, 1964 [first German ed. 1785])
• Rachels, James, The Elements of Moral Philosophy , 2nd ed., (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993)
• Winch, Peter, "The Universalizability of Moral Judgements", The Monist 49 (1965)

Presentation of essays and seeking advice

Generally, you should present an essay that is legible (hand-writing is OK, but typed or word-processed essays are preferable), in English, on one side of pieces of paper that are somewhere in the vicinity of A4 size and are fixed together . You should attach a completed Cover Sheet provided by the Philosophy program. Plastic document covers, spiral binding and other forms of presentational paraphernalia are not necessary (nor are they usually even desirable, as they mostly just get in the marker's way).

Late essays

Late essays are penalised . (For details of penalties consult the Philosophy program's notice board.)

Essays not handed in

Essays not handed in at all get zero marks. An essay that is handed in but gets a mark below 50 (and so is technically a "failed" essay) still gets some marks. (At least, it will so long as it's not so extremely late that the deducted marks wipe out all the marks it would have received if handed in on time.) All marks received for your essay (whether pass or fail) go toward your final score in the subject. Therefore, even if you think your essay is bound to fail (but please let your marker be the judge of that), or the due date has already passed, or both, it is still in your interests to hand your essay in .

Tutors and lecturers

Philosophy staff are not there just to be listened to by you; they are also there to listen to you. So don't hesitate to contact your tutor or lecturer to discuss questions or problems you have concerning your work.

If you have a legitimate excuse, you may be granted an extension on the due date for your essay by the lecturer in charge. Similarly, special consideration may also be granted when illness or other circumstances adversely affect your work. Applications for special consideration are made online via the Special Consideration web page.

Student counselling

Some personal or non-philosophical academic difficulties you might have you might want to discuss with someone other than your tutor or lecturer. Student Counselling and Psychological Services are there for you to discuss all sorts of problems you might encounter. Please consult your student diary for details on the counselling service.

English language assistance

As noted above, good philosophical writing requires a good grasp of the language in which it is written. If you are from a non-English speaking background and are having difficulties with your English expression in an academic context, you might like to make use of the services provided by Student Services Academic Skills . Many native English speakers, too, can benefit from short "refresher" courses and workshops run by the Centre. Please consult your student diary for details about this service.

A bit on Philosophy exams

Essays of the sort discussed so far in this guide are not the only form of assessment in the Philosophy program - examinations are also set. What is to be said about them?

First, not much that is different from what's been said above about philosophy essays. This is because what you write in a philosophy exam is none other than a philosophy essay . Have a look at past philosophy exam papers, in the Gibson and Baillieu libraries, to get a feel for them. The only basic difference between essays and exams is the matter of what constraints you're working under. Essays have word limits; exams have time limits . Again, stick to them. (Actually, you'll be made to stick to them by the exam invigilators.)

It's best, then, to think about how long to spend writing on an exam essay topic, rather than about how many words to write on it. Simple arithmetic will tell you how much time to spend on each exam question. (eg if you have a 2-hour exam and have to answer 3 questions, each worth one-third of the exam mark, then spend 40 minutes on each question.) Avoid the trap of "borrowing time" from a later question in order to perfect your answer to an earlier question, and then working faster on the later questions to catch up on lost time - this is likely to get you in a tangle. There are no word limits in philosophy exam essays, but don't think that the more you scrawl across the page, the more marks you'll get. Nonetheless, use the time you've got so as to maximise your display of your philosophical understanding and skills in answering the question.

Planning and structuring remain very important in exam essays. With regard to the niceties of footnotes, endnotes and bibliographies, etc., these are not necessary, so don't waste time on these. However, if you quote or refer to a specific passage from a text, do indicate clearly that it is a quotation or reference. (The principle of being clear as to who is saying what remains central.) If you have the reference handy, just put it briefly in the text of your exam essay. (eg "As Descartes says in Meditation I (p. 12), . . ." or "'[I]t is prudent never to trust completely those who have deceived us even once' (Descartes, Meditation I, p. 12)".) Generally speaking, you will show your familiarity with any relevant texts by how you handle them in your discussion. This is also true for your non-exam essays.

Your preparation for the exam should have been done well before entering the exam hall. Note that various subjects have restrictions on what texts and other items can be brought into the exam hall. (Consult the Philosophy program's notice board for details.) Many subjects will have "closed book" exams. Even if an exam is "open book", if you are properly prepared, you should not need to spend much time at all consulting texts or notes during the exam itself.

You won't have time for redrafting and revising your exam essay (which makes planning and structuring your answers before you start writing all the more important). If you do want to delete something, just cross it out clearly. Don't waste time with liquid paper or erasers. Write legibly . Don't wr. "point form" sav. time. Diff. kn. mean. use incomp. sent.

Finally, read the instructions at the beginning of the exam paper. They are important. (eg it's not a good strategy to answer two questions from Part A, when the Instructions tell you to answer two questions, one from Part A and one from Part B.) Note the (somewhat quaint) University practice of starting Reading Time some time before the stated time for the exam. Philosophy exams usually have 15 minutes of reading time. (Check for each of your exams.) So, if your exam timetable says the exam is at 2.15 pm, with reading time of 15 minutes, then the reading time starts at 2.00 pm and the writing time starts at 2.15pm - so get to the exam hall well before 2.00 pm. Reading time is very important. Use it to decide which questions you'll answer and to start planning your answers.

Checklist of questions

• Do I understand the essay question ? Do I know when the essay is due ?
• Do I know which texts to consult? Do I know where to find them?
• Have I made useful notes from my reading of the relevant texts?
• Have I made a plan of how I'll approach the question in my essay?
• Have I given myself enough time to draft and redraft my essay?
• Have I written a clearly structured essay? Is it clear what each stageis doing? Do I do what I say I'll do in my Introduction?
• Have I clearly distinguished exposition and critical discussion ? Have I given a fair and accurate account of the author(s) in question?
• Is my response to the topic relevant ? Do I answer the question? Have I kept my essay within the general bounds of the topic?
• Have I displayed a good grasp of the vocabulary of logical argument ? Are my arguments logically valid and sound? Are my claims supported by reasons ? Am I consistent within my essay?
• Is my English expression clear and precise ? Are my grammar, punctuation and spelling correct? Have I said what I meant to say? Is my writing legible?
• Have I fully acknowledged all my sources in footnotes or endnotes? Are my quotations accurate? Have I included a bibliography ?
• Do I need to revise any part of my essay again?
• Have I made a copy or photocopy of my essay for myself?
• Have I kept the receipt for my handed-in essay?

160 Philosophy Essay Topics

An essay on a philosophical topic can be challenging in several different ways. If you haven’t been assigned a topic, then you need to carefully consider both the type of philosophy you want to illuminate as well as the topic and the philosopher who originally championed the idea. This calls for a fair amount of research. If you need a place to start, there is an extensive list of topics below that are broken down by the schools of thought and/or the eras that inspired them.

Researching a Philosophy Topic

Philosophers are the embodiment of deep thinkers, and many of the best ones have offered up theories and perspectives that have gone on to influence the world. It helps to pick a specific school of thought, whether it is the classical Greek, Transcendentalism, Rationalism, or another, and then research the school of thought as well as the era that inspired them. This often calls for researching the specific philosophy and accomplishments of a specific philosopher.

While researching a topic or a school of thought try to think of examples you can cite in the body of the essay. This might be a historical example from the era the philosopher lived in or a real-world example that is pertinent today. A concept that was pertinent when it was originally written and is still relevant now will lend strength to your essay.

Tips for Writing a Philosophy Essay

Ideally, you want to choose a topic for your philosophy essay that has a strong and defensible position, as well as relevance in the present day. The research you have already done will provide you with an intellectual foundation to make a strong and well-supported argument.

When writing a philosophy essay, you want to compose it from a third-person point of view. This gives the essay an objective perspective that engages the reader while making it clear that the ideas being presented are not coming from your own personal bias. When providing supporting facts in your argument, make sure to quote them directly, include the source, and a relevant composition that it came from. You might also need to provide the date it was originally published.

How to Structure a Philosophy Essay

Depending on the required length of the philosophy essay, you can use a standard five-paragraph structure and expand the number of body paragraphs if necessary. This will give your philosophy essay a natural flow that makes it easy for the reader to follow.

This essay structure includes an introduction with a strong thesis statement, which might include a direct quote from a well-known philosopher. You then follow up with supporting body paragraphs that have their own distinct point that is supported by strong evidence, rather than flowing together into a single idea. Then you finish with a strong conclusion that illustrates the point or demonstrates its historical relevance or relevance in present times.

Introduction

A philosophy essay needs to directly state the topic in the introduction while enticing the reader to want to learn more about the topic. It’s best to use authoritative language, while also making sure that you are speaking to the reader, rather than talking down to them about a subject that might be disagreeable.

A strong thesis statement is a critical component of a philosophy essay’s introductory paragraph. The end of the introduction should include a sentence of two that leads into the first body paragraph.

Body Paragraphs

The first paragraph of your philosophy essay should have a strong connection to the thesis statement while also offering supporting evidence. This might include a direct quote from a philosopher or a well-known historical figure. Then make sure to document when it was said and who made the statement.

Each body paragraph should be its own idea and includes well-documented examples. If another philosopher argued against the thesis, you can include that information as well to demonstrate the counterpoint.

Each body paragraph should conclude with a sentence of two that leads into the next body paragraph’s point or central theme. If you are writing a topic that compares and contrasts two opposing opinions, you can give each view its own body paragraph.

The conclusion of your philosophy essay needs to have an assertive tone while providing a definite answer to the topic. This might be demonstrating why one view is more applicable to the modern world or why one view won out over the opposing view. If there is some lingering controversy about the topic, you should try to win encourage the reader to reexamine their own personal opinions on it.

Choosing the right topic for your philosophy essay can be challenging. There are many different schools of thought spanning thousands of years and historical eras. The following list of the topic below have been broken down into the schools of philosophy and relevant themes. They are a great jumping-off point for your research process.

Classical Greek and Roman Philosophy Topics

• Did Socrates really exist, or did Plato make him up to offer perceived validity to his own Philosophy?
• Does Aristotle’s concept of The Hearthless man have an equivalent in the modern age?
• Is Aristotle’s notion of Eudaimonia akin to the pursuit of happiness, or can Eudaimonia be accomplished like the Buddhist idea of Nirvana?
• In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics he discusses the different forms of human friendship. Compare and contrast the differences between Telia Philea and friendships of convenience. Using modern-day examples.
• Was Socrates’ decision to drink the hemlock the correct moral choice, or was he driven to accept suicide by his ego?
• Does Plato’s Republic make sexism acceptable in his age, or was Plato uninformed about the importance of equality in ancient Greek society?
• Aristotle’s idea of Hexus notes that nature fits us with emotion for a reason and that no emotion is morally wrong. Instead, Aristotle notes that it is the reason or virtue behind that emotion that constitutes a good or a bad Hexus. With this in mind can you give real-world examples of when Anger was virtuous and Happiness was devoid of moral virtue?
• What did Socrates mean when he said that “The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living?
• Are the stoic philosophers the bridge between classical Roman polytheism and Christianity?
• Would the Renaissance Era have been possible, had it not been for the Golden Age of Islam preserving Greek & Roman philosophy during the European Dark Ages?
• What Did Plato Mean when he said “Those who tell the stories rule society.”
• Explain Aristotle’s view on the importance of intellectual virtue.
• Was Aristotle correct when he said, “The Moral Virtues Are Not Innate?”
• What did Plato mean when he said, “knowledge only comes when we are able to justify and account for our true beliefs.”
• Why did Cicero convalesce to stoicism?
• What is the Epicurean philosophy of life?
• What do epicureans believe about happiness?
• Does epicurean philosophy have a place in modern life?
• Compare and contrast the difference between how pleasure is valued in epicurean philosophy compared to how to is valued in hedonism?
• Compare and contrast the difference between epicurean happiness and Artistotle’s view on eudaimonia.

Stoicism Topics

• What are the three main beliefs of stoicism?
• Did the stoics see Gods as omnipotent apart from nature, or integrated as an active element of the natural world?
• Why is self-control a critical component of stoic philosophy?
• How do the Stoics believe happiness is achieved?
• What are the two duties of stoicism?

Hedonism Topics

• Does hedonism recognize other motivations besides please and pain?
• How does hedonistic philosophy define good and evil?
• What is hedonist moral philosophy?
• How does hedonistic philosophy interpret the appreciation of art?
• What is aesthetic hedonism?
• Does hedonism promote substance abuse?
• Does hedonism encourage the objectification of women?
• Does hedonism promote internet pornography?
• Is the drive to legalize marijuana a form of hedonistic philosophy?
• Does hedonism treat alcoholism as permissible?

Nihilism Topics

• What are the four different types of nihilism and what makes them different?
• Is Nihilism inherently pessimistic or realistic?
• Can nihilism co-exist with religious belief?
• What did Nietzsche mean when he said “God Is Dead?”
• Why did Nietzsche believe that all imposed values and meanings need to be repudiated

Existentialism Topics

• Explain the relationship between Anxiety and Authenticity through the lens of existentialist philosophy.
• Explain Irrationality/Absurdity through the lens of existentialist philosophy.
• What is Cartesian Dualism?
• What did Des Carte mean when he said “I think therefore I am?”
• Explain Kierkegaard’s writing in the context of his approach to Christianity.
• Why do existentialist philosophers believe that it is impossible to find the true reasons and explanations of events?
• Explain Jean-Paul Sartre’s Opinions on Existentialism and Human Emotions.
• What is the influence of existentialism in Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage?
• What is the influence of Existentialism in the Literature of Samuel Beckett?
• How did existentialism influence Psychoanalysis, and Behaviorism?

Topics on Transcendentalism

• What did Emerson mean when he said “The mind once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions?”
• Did the philosophy of Emerson influence John Muir’s views on naturalism?
• What did Thoreau mean when he said a higher law than civil law demands the obedience of the individual.
• What is the common thread between the transcendentalist concepts of individualism, idealism, and the divinity of nature?
• What is the significance of the battle between the red ants and the black ants in Thoreau’s book On Waldon Pond?
• What did Thoreau mean when he wrote “I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”
• Compare and contrast the differences between Kant & Hume on the concept of transcendentalist idealism.
• Does transcendentalism offer a philosophy that promotes “The truest way of life?”
• Why is time in nature away from civilization a critical component of transcendental philosophy?
• What is the significance of Emerson’s “Consequences of Self-Doubt.”
• How does Transcendentalism make a link between philosophy and science
• Compare and contrast the differences between the American 19 th Century version of transcendentalism and the Eastern notions of transcendentalism.
• Explain transcendentalism’s conflict with the industrial revolution.
• Was John Muir a transcendentalist?
• Are Luddites their own philosophical system or an extreme version of transcendentalism?

Marxism Topics

• Has the negative relationship with failed communism hindered Marxism as a contemporary school of philosophy?
• What is the relationship between Marxism and social science?
• Explain Karl Marx’s Theory of Alienation.
• Do the ideologies of Marxism affect 21 st Century western culture?
• Why does Spencer believe that human nature is flexible and is in the process of advancement?
• How doe the concept of Surplus Value influence the division of social & economic classes?
• Why does Marxism devalue the importance of religion?
• Explain why the Young Hegelians refute religion in place of a philosophical system?
• Explain Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s view on the role of money in human life.
• Compare and contrast the differences between Marx’s view of socialism and the communism of Russia in the 20 th

Eastern Philosophy Topics

• Compare and contrast Zazen and Rinzai Zen forms of Buddhism.
• Is the “Ah-Ha” moment of “Satori” a requirement in the pursuit of nirvana as it is recognized in modern-day Buddhism?
• Is Buddhism a religion, a philosophical life practice, or both?
• The philosophy of the Buddha and Jesus of Nazareth are very similar. Though they both came from a completely different upbringing. Does this affect the principles of the religions they founded or is the exposure to the poverty of Jesus’ childhood and the wealth of the Buddha’s early years merely background details in their stories?
• When the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he said “As the earth is my witness. Seeing this morning star, all things and I awaken together.”
• Why is begging for one’s meal an important tenant of classic Buddhist daily practice?
• How do Siddhartha’s four sights on the road influence the Buddha’s teaching about the four noble truths?
• What is the relationship between the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold path?
• When Siddhartha gives up asceticism he takes food from a peasant woman, what does this symbolize, and does it influence his eventual awakening as the Buddha?
• Does Herman Hess’ novel Siddhartha make Buddhism more or less accessible for Western culture to assimilate?
• What did the Buddha mean when he said “If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.”
• Is the Caste system of India based on moral philosophy and religious beliefs or is it a form of discrimination and classism?
• In Hindu philosophy what is the difference between dharma, and karma?
• Can the concept of Karmic rebirth be used to forgive someone’s misdeeds in this current life?
• Compare and contrast the moral influence of reincarnation offered by many Eastern Religions and the concept of eternal life offered by Christianity. How do these different philosophical concepts affect the choices made in everyday life?
• Do the six systems of Hindu philosophy Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta work together seamlessly?
• Is Sun Tzu’s The Art of War a philosophy text or an ancient military guide?
• What is the relationship of ren (humanity) and li (ritual propriety) in the philosophy of Confucius?
• Explain the Confucian concept of de “Virtue.”
• How did the philosophy of Mencius and Xunzi differ from the philosophy of Confucius?
• How does the philosophy of Confucius address Family, filial piety,and ancestor worship?
• Is Neo-Confucian critical of Daoism and Buddhism
• Does Neo-Confucian philosophy offer up effective solutions to the problem of evil?
• Explain the Cheng-Zhu theory of human nature.
• Explain Neo-Confucian theories of mind and how it applies to modern culture
• What are the main tenents of Taoism?
• How are currents interpreted in Taology?
• Does the Tao concept of Letting Go have value in modern western culture?
• In Taoism is there a connective relationship between simplicity, patience, and compassion.
• Does Daoism compete with Confucianism or stand beside it?

Philosophy in Modern Literature and Movies

• Is the novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance truly about the Metaphysics of Quality, or is it Robert Pirsig attempting to cope with his electroshock therapy experience?
• Does William Van De Wettering’s novel The Empty Mirror make the Zen practice of Koan study more feasible, or less accessible to Westerner modalities of thinking?
• In Kahlil Gibran’s book The Prophet he says “If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were.” What did he mean by this?
• In Primo Levi’s book Bear Meat, he said “the sea’s only gifts are harsh blows and, occasionally, the chance to feel strong. Now, I don’t know much about the sea, but I do know that that’s the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong, to measure yourself at least once, to find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions, facing blind, deaf stone alone, with nothing to help you but your own hands and your own head.” What does he mean by this?
• Is Dan Millman’s book “The Way Of The Peaceful Warrior” a bridge between Buddhist philosophy and Western Culture or is it a standalone philosophy onto itself?
• Explain the existentialist philosophy of the Shawshank Redemption?
• In Into The Wild does Chris McCandless succeed in “Killing The False Being Within?”
• Does the philosophy of the Celestine Prophecy offer a realistic way of life, or is it better off being classified as fiction?
• Does the heightened compassionate approach to the medical philosophy of Patch Adams have a place in modern medicine?
• Is transcendentalism properly represented in the movie Dead Poet’s Society?

Rationalism Topics

• Compare and contrast the differences between rationalism and empiricism.
• Is rationalism’s view of questioning everything tediously unnecessary?
• Is Des Carte truly a rationalist philosopher.
• Is there a difference between traditional rationalism and the Scottish Englightenment?
• What caused the Scottish Enlightenment.
• Compare and contrast the differences between the philosophy of David Hume and Adam Smith.
• Compare and contrast the differing philosophies of David Hume and Des Cartes.
• How does rationalism address the theory of knowledge?
• What is the conflict between rationalism and the romantic movement?
• Is constructivism a separate philosophy or a form of rationalism?

Humanism Topics

• Does humanist philosophy promote atheism?
• What are the three core beliefs of humanism philosophy?
• How has humanism philosophy influenced modern psychology?
• How has humanism philosophy changed over the last century?
• As a metaphysical doctrine, how does humanism related to the natural world?
• Does humanism reject the philosophical divinity of nature in transcendentalism?
• Humanism borrows many aspects of Aristotle’s notion of Eudaimonia, but not all of them, why?
• What is the importance of self-determination in humanism philosophy?
• Does humanism support scientific skepticism?
• How has humanism influenced modern politics?

Middle Eastern Philosophy

• Has the Koran discouraged the development of Middle Eastern Philosophy
• Is Islam a philosophy or a religion?
• Is Arabian philosophy a derivative of Classical Greek philosophy?
• Was the Golden Age of Islam bolstered by Classical Greek philosophy?
• What is Arabic Logic?
• Platos influence on Ab? Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyy? al-R?z?.
• How the philosophy of Saadia Gaon influenced Jewish Law.
• How did Yahya ibn Adi use philosophical knowledge to produce defenses of Christian theology that were grounded in classical thought?
• The influence of Aristotle on Avicenna.
• How did Aristotle influence Sohrevardi in founding the Islamic school of Illuminations?
• How did Fakhr al-Din al-Razi integrate philosophy into his model for the cosmos?
• How did the philosophy of Kâtip Çelebi influence 16th and 17th-century social change in the Ottoman empire
• How did the philosophy of Dara Shikoh find common underpinnings shared by Hinduism and Islam?
• How did the philosophy of Muhammad Abduh help introduce liberal thought to the Islamic world?
• How did Fatema Mernissi address the conditions for women in the Islamic world?

Political Philosophy Topics

• How do ethics affect socio-political policy?
• Is agrarianism philosophy represented in today’s political parties?
• How did the Federalist papers influence our modern democratic system?
• What is the difference between liberalism and socialism?
• What is the difference between conservatism and fascism?
• What is libertarian political philosophy?
• Does paternalism still affect political philosophy?
• What is progressivism in political philosophy?
• Is effective altruism necessary for globalism to thrive?
• How would Socrates view our current notions of Civil Disobedience?

Let us know if you would like us to help you with your Philosophy Essay – we are glad to make it easier for you to success in your classes.

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Preparation

Referencing & help.

• Good essay writing begins with good course preparation. You should remember that just attending courses is not enough. You will engage with the lectures and seminars only if you do the required primary and secondary reading. By the time you come to write your first essay you should already know enough to approach the subject confidently.
• Make sure you have properly understood the question. If you do not, ask. Review your lecture notes and the course outline in order to put the question into context and to relate it to other aspects of the subject. If you can break down the question into parts, do so. Decide which are the most important and weight each part accordingly.
• Read the suggested texts with your question or questions in mind. If you find the reading hard to understand, try reading a whole article or chapter to get the gist and then re-read slowly, making notes.
• Think for yourself. Don't borrow thought or ideas without giving yourself time to digest them. Discuss them with your fellow students. It can be very helpful to discuss the articles and books you read with others. Also, when you take notes, don't simply excerpt long passages, write them in your own words.
• Always start from a plan, however rudimentary; but you will inevitably find your argument developing a dynamic of its own, so do not be afraid to revise your plan as you go along. As Socrates says in Plato's Republic: 'Where the argument takes us, like a wind, hither we must go.'
• Write a draft, leave it for a while, then come back and revise it. On the first draft concentrate on getting the content and structure right and do not dwell on the style. Do not be held up by the precise formulation of a sentence, jot down a phrase and move on.
• Write the final draft. Check the spelling, grammar and make sure all the bibliographical details are correct. leave a wide margin on the right hand side of your page for the marker's comments. Be kind on your marker: use a font that is easy to read and a line spacing of at least 1.5 or 2. Make a photocopy of your essay as a precaution, since they sometimes can go astray.
• Your essay should contain a clear exposition of the theory you are studying, a detailed discussion and critical assessment of that theory. The criticisms you look at may be your own, or those of other philosophers.
• Make sure you indicate when you are expounding the view of someone else and when you are writing in your own voice. Don't just write a long list of objections to a particular argument. Indicate whether you endorse or reject them and give your reasons.
• Use examples to illustrate your point. Preferably, choose your own examples. Always make the point of your example clear to the reader.
• Don't worry too much about the 'originality' of the content of your essay. Nobody expects you to come up with a new philosophical theory in your first four pages of writing. Your essay will be original enough if you think for yourself, use your own words, give your own examples and always provide reasons for accepting or rejecting a particular view.
• Avoid rambling introductions and conclusions. Some books begin with a portentous opening sentence e.g., 'Philosophy, from the earliest times, has made greater claims, and achieved fewer results, than any other branch of learning.' (B. Russell) You can get away with such a sentence as the opening line of a 400 page book, but not as the opening line of a 4 page essay. State briefly what you think the question involves, if this is not obvious, and get stuck in to your answer. With conclusions, sum up your argument if you want to and leave it at that.
• Think small or be methodical. There is a gap between your brain's ability to grasp something and your ability to express in writing what you have already understood. It is as if your intuition can leap up whole flights of stairs at once, whereas your written explanations climb one step at a time. This means that you can easily get ahead of yourself, producing the illusion that your ideas are far more lofty than they really are. Only by patiently stepping through the details of an argument can you avoid such illusions. So be patient! If you are not sure whether you have made your point, try putting it another way; 'The upshot of this argument is...', 'the point of this example is...'. Do not simply repeat yourself, try instead to look at your subject from different angles. Sometimes it will feel as if your point is trivial and not worth making. But a trivial point can be a solid step in an interesting argument. The ability to tease out the subtleties of a small point will serve you better than a grand philosophy of life, the universe and everything.
• One way to structure your essay is to outline an argument, consider an objection, then reply to the objection and then move on to the next point. Avoid the two extremes of length and unbroken paragraphs on the one hand, and staccato sound bytes on the other. Divide your essay into clearly defined paragraphs and devote a whole paragraph to each point. Make the connections between them explicit, by telling the reader what they are. Write things like, 'There are two major objections to this line of thought...' or 'what this example shows is...' Think of these connections as signposts telling the reader where she is, where she has been or reminding her where she is heading.
• 'Style is the feather in the arrow, not the feather in the cap.' Do not worry about repeating important words or phrases. In philosophy it is more important to be consistent in your terminology than to find new and imaginative ways of saying the same thing. Clear prose has its own elegance, wordiness can sometimes cloud the issue.
• Empathise with your reader. Once you understand something, you forget what it was like not to understand it; but doing just this will help you to get your point across. To write clearly you have to put yourself in the place of your reader. Imagine the reader is someone who knows nothing about the subject. What would you have to do firstly to convince them and secondly to maintain their interest. Generally speaking a concrete example will get you much further than a passage of purple prose or a string of high-falutin' epithets. One useful way to attain clarity and simplicity of style is to write in short sentences. It is easier to waffle in long rambling sentences.
• Use 'signposts' to let the reader know what you are trying to do. You can say things like , 'one objection is...', 'A possible reply to this is...', 'What this example shows...', 'This importance of this point is that...', 'What X is assuming is that...'. Be explicit about what you are arguing and why.
• Stylistically it is vital to use your own words. Quite apart from the dangers of plagiarism, if you borrow chunks of text from another author and then insert them into your essay, you will end up with a patchwork of different styles that reads awkwardly. By all means paraphrase someone else's view, although make it clear that you are paraphrasing. This will help you to understand the position you are adumbrating; and there is a lot of skill involved in a lucid and concise exposition of somebody else's argument.
• Occasionally you will want to cite somebody else's words directly. Be sparing in your use of quotation. There is much less skill to quotation than to paraphrase or précis. When you select a passage for quotation, make sure it is both brief and relevant. There is nothing worse than reading a string of long quotations interspersed with brief and gnomic comments.
• Use a dictionary (or spell check) and a grammar. Good spelling and good grammar are not wholly unrelated to the content of your essay. The thread of an essay is easier to follow if the reader does not have to guess the word which you actually meant to write. Good grammar makes not only for elegant but for precise prose. So do not be ashamed to use a dictionary. I prefer the Chambers to the Collins single volume dictionary, but both are good. (Webster's and M.S. Word dictionaries are American.) Michael Dummet, the philosopher, has written an excellent little English grammar for his students, published by Duckworth.

Use of sources

• All verbatim quotations, whether long or short should be enclosed in inverted commas or indented, and the precise source given. Make sure that you give enough information for the reader to find the passage, i.e. author, work, edition page number or section.
• Passages of close paraphrase should be acknowledged, and the purpose of these paraphrases made clear e.g. as a summary of a view to be discussed disputed or agreed with.
• When a point has been derived directly from an author, even though it mode of expression may be original, this should be acknowledged in a footnote or parenthesis.
• Extensive use of an essay written by another student should be acknowledged. This applies to essays borrowed from the 'Essay Bank' and to essays which are borrowed on a personal basis. Just as the rule that you should acknowledge your dependence on published sources is not supposed to discourage you from reading widely, the rule that you should acknowledge your dependence where it exists, on other students' essays, is not supposed to discourage you from reading each others' essays. In the end however the only thing of value to you and of interest to us is work in which you express and develop your own thoughts.
• At the end of any essay to be submitted for formal assessment (not tutorial essays) write a list in alphabetical order of all the works consulted or read during the preparation and writing of the essay, as well as those from which you quote directly (see Referencing).

Referencing

The Philosophy Department accepts the Harvard or MLA styles of referencing.  Please refer to the specific information below on each permitted style.

Additional help

You may find the extra help below useful when writing Philosohy essays.

This guide to writing Philosophy essays was written by Gordon Finlayson

Department of Philosophy University of York , York , YO10 5DD , UK Tel: work +44 (0)1904 323251 | Fax: fax +44 (0)1904 324023 | [email protected]

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243 Plato Essay Topics & Examples

If you’re writing a Plato essay, look through the topics collected by our team . Explore the philosopher’s relationships with Socrates, the concepts of cave and utopia, and more.

🏆 Best Plato Essay Examples & Topics

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• Plato and Aristotle on Literature Compare & Contrast Essay The controversy over the effects of literature has made the great philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, to differ in their perceptions of the literature impacts on the society.
• The Concept of Plato’s Ideal State Essay Being a part of a group that had access to knowledge and power, he believed that the state needed to have some people who were cleverer than the others as it was one of the […]
• Compare and Contrast: Plato and Aristotle Essay Aristotle was a “the son of a renowned physician from Thrace” and he began his philosophy studies at the Plato’s academy.
• Plato and Aristotle’s Views of Virtue in Respect to Education Arguably, Plato and Aristotle’s views of education differ in that Aristotle considers education as a ‘virtue by itself’ that every person must obtain in order to have ‘happiness and goodness in life’, while Plato advocates […]
• Philosophy: Plato’s Republic Versus Aristotle’s Politics Plato as well turns off the partition amid the private and the public and he contends for common kids and wives for the guardians in a bid to create a society amongst the rulers of […]
• Socrates Influence on Plato’s Philosophy He was accused of corrupting the morals of the youth and misleading the citizens with his unorthodox political and religious views. Plato was so attracted to Socrates philosophy that he made him the principal character […]
• Plato vs. Aristotle: Political Philosophy Compare and Contrast Essay Plato went further to associate all the parts of the soul to parts of the body with reason connected to the head, will connected to the heart and appetite connected to the abdomen and sensory […]
• Plato on Death: Comparison With Aristotle Afterlife – Essay on Life After Death Philosophy On the other hand, religion has maintained that the soul is immortal and survives the death of the body. Plato argued that the soul is immortal and therefore survives the death of the body.
• Ideal Society by Plato The task of the social leaders is to orient to interests of the majority in order to avoid the opposition of the public which can lead to revealing the negative qualities of people living in […]
• Plato on Knowledge and Opinion The primary division of Plato’s classification is the division of knowledge into sensory and intellectual knowledge. The first category of knowledge, namely sensory knowledge, is perceived as a lower type, and intellectual knowledge is the […]
• Plato’s Theory of Forms: Summary Essay Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to discuss theory of Forms as one of the main contributions of Plato.
• Plato’s Philosophy The allegory of the cave can serve in revealing some of the key reasons to mistrust the views of the majority.
• Epistemologies of Plato and Aristotle It is also worth mentioning the Allegory of the Cave, in which Plato explains the relationship between people and the world of the Forms.
• Guardians and Justice in Plato’s “The Republic” The books begin with the discussion of the ideal city and more importantly, the concept of justice. As a result, justice of the soul and the individual is achieved.
• Aristotle’s and Plato’s Views on Rhetoric One of the points that Plato expresses in this philosophical work is that rhetoric should be viewed primarily as the “artificer of persuasion”. This is one of the similarities that can be distinguished.
• The Role of Gods in Plato’s Philosophy As Plato recounts the episode “Myth of Er” found in the republic dialogue phaedo and the story of time reversal in the statesman, a clear view of the hierarchical arrangement of the cosmos is illuminated.
• Comparison of Plato’s and Aristotle’s Approaches to the Nature of Reality In contrast to Plato, Aristotle asserted that the senses were necessary for accurately determining reality and that they could not be used to deceive a person. Aristotle and Plato both considered that thoughts were superior […]
• Confucius, Plato, and Aristotle: Views on Society In the video, it is highlighted that both Plato and Confucius shared a commitment to reason and the value of the state.
• Plato’s and Aristotle’s Theories of Human Nature Chapter five of Kupperman’s book “Theories of human nature” looks at great philosophers, namely Plato’s and Aristotle’s points of view in trying to define humanity. The writer tries to illustrate the complexity of defining a […]
• Plato’s Republic and Hobbes’s Leviathan Philosophical Comparison In order to form a solid basis on how the two theories visualize the ability of man to reason, it is important to have a valid understanding of the theories themselves.
• Why Did Plato Hate the Sophists? – Philosophy He claimed that the sophists were selling the wrong education to the rich people. The methods of teaching that the sophists portrayed in Athens were in conflict with Plato’s school of thought.
• Plato and Aristotle Thoughts on Politics Aristotle emphasized that the lawgiver and the politician occupied the constitution and the state wholly and defined a citizen as one who had the right to deliberate or participate in the matters of the judicial […]
• Plato’s Visions of Beauty and Déjà Vu From this point, beauty can be discussed as the attribute of things and as the independent form, and deja vu is the example of the reality as illusion because the life is only the reflection […]
• Lessons From Plato’s Book ‘the Apology’ Though called ‘apology’ by Plato, the speech is not actually an apology- Socrates was attempting use his wisdom to justify his teachings and beliefs, and not to apologize for his actions.[2] First, his concise and […]
• How Plato and Epicurus Viewed Help for People In the Republic, Plato gives a detailed analysis of the “good” while Epicurus describes the notion of “good life” in his Letter to Monoeceus. The conversations between Glaucon and Socrates help the reader equate and […]
• Philosophers: Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Marx The philosophical dilemma is how to do it, because in the overwhelming majority of cases, a human being is driven by the desire.
• Plato’s Philosophy in “The Republic” In his description of the ideal society, Plato explains that people in the society are not advised to act without knowledge such that before a city is erected, full understanding of justice should be known.
• Plato’s Dialogue Crito Crito insists that a person must listen to the opinion of the majority, and Socrates argues that it is impossible to pay attention to the opinions of all the people because it is important to […]
• Cameron’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and Plato’s “Symposium”: Comparison The plot of the story is unique, while the character of Hedwig and her life story emphasize the difficulties that people can go through.
• Aristophanes in Plato’s Symposium His speech has a somber tone and tells the fabled story of the beginning of love. Aristophanes creates the notion that the earliest humans were androgynous a combination of both male and female using his […]
• “The last Days of Socrates” by Plato It is a follow up of Plato’s ‘The Apology’ and provides a description of the conversations between Socrates, and his disciples, Crito and the jailer.
• The Film “Soul” by Pixar: Understanding Plato’s Rhetoric Plato believes that the function of the soul in the conception of noble rhetoric is the ability of the orator to understand other people and execute the art of rhetoric.
• Plato on Power and Republic In philosophy of government, Plato argues that philosophers are the most knowledgeable members of society; thus, they deserve to be rulers because they understand what is right for humanity and government.
• “The Republic” by Plato: Book X It is a fundamental theory defining society, and with the theme continuing throughout the book, the reader reconceptualizes their place and purpose in the community.
• Art Theory and Beauty in Plato’s The Symposium The Platonic dialogue in The Symposium epitomizes the progression that Diotima describes as pursuance of beauty in highly refined and generalized forms and each speech in the symposium takes the reader closer to the comprehension […]
• Logic and Insight in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” The world outside the cave is the logical place; which is reachable to logic but not to insight; the voyage outside of the cave into daylight of the world is the soul’s inclination to the […]
• Plato’s “The Apology of Socrates” Speech Analysis He also suggests that the speech could be the real account of the apology of Socrates based on the premise that the people in Athens at the time Plato had written the speech could have […]
• The Affinity Argument in Plato’s Phaedo Religious leaders also pray for the body and the soul of the dead but lay a lot of emphasis on the soul.
• Philosophical Issues on Plato’s Phaedo Weiss argues that Plato used the argument by Socrates that true philosophers hate the pleasures of the body, for example, drinks, sex, and food.
• Plato’s Allegory of the Cave In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, there is much darkness in the cave and only very little light can be found in this place and it is so hard for a person who is in […]
• Plato’s Myth of the Cave and Modern Information Absorption Among them is the existence of objective truth, which is independent of people’s opinions; the presence of constant deceptions that make a person stay away from this truth; and the need for qualitative changes to […]
• Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy Allegory by the Cave is one of the widely read and used books of Plato. Plato’s view on a Utopian society is slightly different in the sense that it is aligned more towards religion compared […]
• Politics and Ethics in Plato’s Republic After the Peloponnesian war, he was convinced by his uncle to join the oligarchical rules of Athens but as an alternative, he joined his two brothers in becoming a student of Socrates.
• Eros in Plato’s Symposium and Sappho’s Poems The truth of love is to follow the way of love like philosophical way and see the soul behind the body, everlasting beauty of virtue, and idea behind the beauty of transient love.
• Communication in Plato’s “The Phaedrus” The Phaedrus compares oral and written communication and outlines the advantages of the two forms. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Internet becomes the main and the most popular form of communication.
• Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and Aristotle’s “High-Minded Man” The concept of a High-Minded man is close to Aristotle’s understanding of success and the contribution of different virtues to an individual’s happiness.
• Plato’s Descartes’ and Hume’s Philosophy Also, his philosophy conveys the importance and the beauty of the life of faith in the midst of a discouraging world.
• Plato’s Theory of Natural Depravity Even in times of ancient Jews and peoples which surrounded them the core accent consisted in the purity of spirit, soul and body, but most of all they emphasized the concept of spiritual life minding […]
• Plato’s “Parable of the Cave”: The Socratic Method In conclusion, the allegory of the cave by Plato is a parable about knowledge, wisdom, and ignorance. The cave represents a world in which a person is placed initially, but by examining one’s life and […]
• The Perspectives of Plato and Augustine on Metaphysics For Augustine, God was the source of all forms, and subsequently, all of the objects and phenomena existing in the physical world were manifestations of the ideals kept in the mind of God.
• The Allegory of the Cave by Plato Review First of all, Plato created the people in the cave captives in order to rhetorically appeal to the audience’s emotions and arouse the sensations that already exist in them, which, of course, already produces an […]
• Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” and Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” In general, Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” and LeGuin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” address the same theme the truth and how it may affect people’s reality.
• Plato’s Imitative View of Art. An understanding of the essence of art is inseparable from the understanding the world of human nature and views on society.
• Plato’s Ideal State: Self-Enclosed and Unstable Plato’s proposed alternative is the rule of a philosopher-king a wise person able to see the essence of justice and, consequently, have the precise knowledge rather than a mere opinion of what is right.
• Justice and Ideal Society in Plato’s Republic Thrasymachus argues that the moral values in the society are a complete reflection of the interests of the ruling group and not the society as a whole.
• Social Contract in Plato’s, Hobbes’, Locke’s Works In Plato’s opinion, because the guardian class would be the judge of the people, there would be no need for laws, and this would make it easier to run the city.
• “The Apology” by Plato: Socrates Accusations The main accusations that played a significant role in Socrates’ death sentence were the accusations of impiety and corrupting the young people of Athens.
• Plato, the Philosopher: His Life and Times He could have attained the name because of the nature of his forehead or because of his extensive knowledge. Due to the wealth and political influence of his family, his father gave him the best […]
• Comparison of Descartes’ “Meditation” and Plato’s “Phaedo” In general, the Descartes’ philosophy is linked to the church’s connotation of the most significant part of an individual’s body, which is acknowledged as existent, even after the end of physical life.
• Human Excellence From Nietzsche’s and Plato’s Perspectives According to Nietzsche, the highest kind of human excellence is the ability to be oneself and to make one’s own choices, as well as being self-content.
• Plato’s “Republic”: Moderation and Justice In order to understand the relationship of justice and moderation both in a person and a polis, it is vital to assess Plato’s understanding of the soul.
• The Work “Republic” by Plato: Arguments for Democracy The primary argument that democracy is worse than timarchy and oligarchy derives directly from the text of Republic, where Socrates agrees that only tyranny is worse than democracy.
• The Article “Plato on Democracy and Expertise” by R. W. Sharples The central message permeating the writing is that the rigidity of truth on which the conceptual model of democracy is built is a problem since any system needs to acknowledge the malleability of the underlying […]
• The Importance of Education in Plato’s Kallipolis This paper evaluates Plato’s Republic to show how the differentiation between justice and injustice, the worth of a successful beginning, and the exchange of knowledge through education contribute to creating the perfect Kallipolis.
• Machiavelli’s vs. Plato’s Justification of Political Lies As we will see, claims of lying and deception and the desire to deceive and mislead seem to be linked to incorrect expectations, false beliefs, and self-delusion on both sides of the political and public […]
• Machiavelli’s vs. Plato’s Ideas of Political Morality According to him, reconciling the gap between ideal and reality is necessary for the development of a political philosophy capable of guiding the Greeks in their quest for liberty.
• Plato’s Theory of Musical Education Hertzler bestows perfection on utopia, arguing that it is “purged of the shortcomings, the wastes, and the confusion”. It is noteworthy that Sargent shares the opinion of Patrick and considers Hertzler not proper.
• Plato’s, Aristotle’s, and Augustine’s Ideas Although the basis of the ideas of the four philosophers may be different regarding God, it is similar in terms of the creation of the world and, in my opinion, differs only in terminology and […]
• Plato’s Philosophy on Exposure to Education Plato establishes what education is worth for both the individual and the state in The Republic, emphasizing the crucial function of those who select the materials to educate the state’s future guardians.
• Plato’s Account of Socrates’ Trial Though the described behavior might seem as unexpected and uncalled for, Socrates’s actions are justified by his decision to explore the nature of social justice and understand the citizens’ stance on their status and the […]
• Concept of Piety in Plato’s “Euthyphro” Thus, the first answer to the question of piety shows that Euthyphro’s piety is what he is doing at the moment, that is, accusing his father of murder.
• Plato’s and Aristotle’s Works and Their Effects The first insight from these philosophical writings that shifted my viewpoint about this field was the distinctive role of the end goal and action in Plato’s and Aristotle’s works.
• Eros in Plato’s Symposium Speeches Therefore, in most cases, the product of love, or Eros, is the fulfillment of the need for admiration. The role of self-love in Aristophanes’ speech is to inspire people to find lovers that connect to […]
• Plato’s Theory of Forms and Personal Perception In his philosophical dialogues, the thinker divides the divine, unchangeable world of forms and the world of material, physical objects that was constantly changing and existed only as a shadow of the ideas.
• The Gyges Mythology by Plato: Personal Review Over the decades, the intensification in the flow of information and automation of the communication domains provides an opportunity for anonymity.
• Plato’s “Republic” and the Issues of Justice To oppose this, the philosopher offers a discussion to convince the opponents of the need for a passage for himself, receiving in response a symbolic phrase from the Polemarchus who says, “How can you convince […]
• Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and the Main Features of His Philosophy The sense of opposing the reality and the perceived in the Cave myth is epistemological and is tied to the replacement of reliance on sensory cognition with mental comprehension. The reality of the Cave is […]
• The Freedom Concept in Plato’s “Republic” This situation shows that the concept of democracy and the freedom that correlates with it refers to a flawed narrative that liberty is the same as equality.
• The State’s Role in “The Republic” by Plato Even being unaware of the three categories of people, the reader can learn that the state’s role is to function and create the conditions under which every person is able to exist. One of the […]
• “Euthyphro” Philosophical Book by Plato The setting of the dialogue is near the Athenian courthouse where the two meet to discuss of the notions of holiness and piety.
• Understanding the Concept of ”Beauty” by Plato In his view, beauty is connected to the idea of forms. Plato would consider all three pieces of artwork, including The Creation of Adam, The Persistence of Memory, and Fountain, as an imitation.
• Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” Analysis It would not be an exaggeration to state that Plato’s allegory of the cave only makes perfect sense if one views it in the light of the theory of forms.
• Plato’s Concept of Education and Wisdom For the people in the cave, the only reality they are aware of is the shadows from the figures cast by the fire’s light.
• Discussion Questions for Plato – The Allegory of the Cave Therefore, the inability of individuals to discover the truth and leave the cave makes them unable to choose between actual reality and the world that they falsely believe to be true.
• Plato’s Views on Democracy Plato’s point of view appeared to me as a more appealing out of the two presented opinions on the best course for a political regime within a country.
• Plato’s Justice and Injustice Theory The reading focuses only on the subjective benefits of a particular action and, in most cases, unjust actions that are dishonest towards others, but at the same time, favorable to oneself are more likely to […]
• Euthyphro: Plato’s Notion of Justice in Stratified Societies As among humans, the disagreement between the gods is related to the line between the just and the unjust, the beautiful and the ugly, the good and the evil.
• Plato’s and Aristotle’s Concepts of Political Theory In The Republic by Plato and The Politics by Aristotle, two unique originations of the state, equity, and political investment introduce themselves.
• Philosophy of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle Logic as understood by Socrates was to some extent influenced by the Pythagoreans since he practiced the dialectic methods in investigating the objectivity and authority of the different propositions.
• Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave”: Personal Review The sun represents the realm of knowledge illustrated by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. I think that an individual has the power to shape their ideas and perspective of knowledge.
• Examining Plato’s Ideas About the Universe Along with Socrates and Aristotle, Plato is one of the members of the Big Three that made a significant impact on the emergence and development of philosophy.
• Plato’s “Euthyphro” The Euthyphro dilemma refers to the state Euthyphro found himself in after the conversation with Socrates, whereby it was difficult to decide whether God loves holiness because it is holy or whether holiness is holy […]
• Plato’s “Method of Division” According to Plato, rhetoric is an art of philosophy that helps in controlling the minds of the crowd or any kind of meeting such as congregation.
• The Theme of Vocation in “Apology” by Plato Then if I do not think he is, I come to the assistance of the god and show him that he is not wise.
• Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”: Nature of Reality His exceptional and genius ideas included the theory of forms, platonic realism, and platonic idealism.”The Allegory of the Cave” is written in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and Plato’s brother Glaucon.
• Wisdom as Discussed in Plato’s Meno and Phaedo In addition, Socrates says that an action may be right and its quality determines whether it is an act of wisdom.
• Plato’s Apology: Is Socrates Guilty? The accusations placed against Socrates include: Studying the activities in the heavens and below the earth. Predicting the things in the heavens and below the earth associates him with the physicists such as Thales and […]
• Plato, Augustine and Descartes Views on Religion The decision to return to the cave to enlighten the rest of the prisoners is viewed by Plato as the work of philosophers in enlightening the rest of the population to know the truth.
• “Not Knowing”: Plato’s Cave and Descartes’s Meditations And it is not the way of “the sceptics, who doubt only for the sake of doubting”. And a redundancy of information also is a huge power, which confuses people to get the pure Knowledge.
• Democracy Emergence in Ancient Greece and Why Plato Was Opposed to It The result of this war was the defeat of Athens by Sparta at the end of the fifth century which led to the overthrow of many democratic regimes.
• Analysis of Socrates and Plato Theories One element of the Soul, the Nous, or reason, he maintained that has to try to order the irrational part of it by getting it to contribute in the Good.
• Gaines’ “A Lesson Before Dying” and Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” This situation resembles the one found in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave discourse whereby the prisoners fixedly stare at the wall.
• Plates Forms and Its Association to Plato’s Cave The theory of forms of Plato portrays to us that abstract non-material forms have the highest kind of fundamental reality as compared to this material world that is known well to us by sensation.
• Plato’s Concept of the State: The Philosophy of Justice Taking into consideration the fact that Plato was actually trying to create the image of the ideal state and show the means which in his understanding are the key issues to building up the society […]
• Plato’s Five Dialogues Importance for the Art of Philosophy Given that Socrates knows that Euthyphro is a good lawyer, he asks him to explain to him so that he can know the whole truth about what is pious.
• Greek Philosophies of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle It is argued that the origin of philosophy as a discipline owes its origin to the contribution of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.”Socrates’ contribution to the love of wisdom was manifested by the belief that philosophy […]
• Plato: Redefining Objectiveness in Life According to Kreiss, through the Allergy of the cave, the allergy is presented as the sense in which we reveal our world, yet it is actually not exactly that, rather, an intellectual approach can comprehensively […]
• Twain’s “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” and Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” The judge goes to the extent of taking the boy’s father in his own home to help him reform his drinking problem. The father then decides to visit the house of the widow during which […]
• Plato’s Meno: Philosophical Dialogue The discussion begins by Meno asking Socrates whether there is a definition of the word ‘Arete’ because he thinks that it cannot be taught in class because there is apparently no definition of the word.
• Medieval Philosophy of Plato The description of the existence of universals in a domain that is devoid of time and space gives universals an extra-ordinary picture.
• Plato’s Principles in Murray’s Book Real Education Having based the main propositions of his work on the categories of inherent abilities and education of Plato’s Philosophy, the contemporary American scientist adapted them to the present-day realities and used Plato’s ideas as axioms […]
• Plato and Socrates: Differences in Personal Philosophy The question that enters my mind when I read the Republic is in regards to the fact that Plato considers education to be the defining act that separates those who do not know from those […]
• Plato’s and Aristotle’s Views on Oedipus People in the Oedipus play lived in the dark of the unknown meaning of the riddle; until Oedipus answered the riddle.
• Plato, Aristotle and Socrates: Knowledge and Government It appears that Socrates believed in an intellectual aristocracy, where those who had more education and had proven themselves in sophistry the “Socratic method” of exchange and analysis of ideas as a path to all […]
• Aspects of Justice in Plato’s Republic Or to put it the other way around: For the moneymaking, auxiliary, and guardian classes each to do its own work in the city is the opposite.
• Plato’s Republic: An Introduction Plato’s dialogues bring out the nature of justice in the society. The issue of guardian of the society is a major issue in the society.
• Plato’s “Leaving the Cave” The author discusses positive and negative features of the individuals, describes the forms of government, and introduces the idea about the necessity of the education in order to create a perfect state with perfect people, […]
• “Republic” by Plato: Social and Political Philosophy As well, the ruler will do his job in the best way if one does not abstract from one’s responsibilities.”Therefore, I suggest that we first consider the nature of justice and injustice as they appear […]
• Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in “The Republic” They also are learning the things that I am learning and starting to see dimensions where before there were not any.
• Plato’s “Meno”: On the Nature of Virtue In 95c, the author assumes that Sophists are also not qualified to teach virtue, due to the fact that one of the respected philosophers is quite critical about those who make some promises and believes […]
• Answers to Questions From Plato’s Republic The framers had in mind the preservation of the public good, and not the promotion of private interest. The notation that the motivation to maintain a position of power can be destructive was addressed by […]
• Plato’s and Socrates’s Views on the Immortality of the Soul Such wisdom is useless to a common man who is limited to materialism and lacks the wisdom to see his inner self-understanding that constitutes and provides the ground of Socratic rationalism in the sense of […]
• “Apology” by Plato and the “Plea for Captain John Brown” by Thoreau The Apology by Plato is the account of Socrates’ defense in the court of law, while the Plea for Captain John Brown by Henry David Thoreau is the essay defending the captain who rebelled against […]
• The Life of Plato and His Philosophy One of the founders of Greek ancient thought was Plato whose works became the handbooks of many modern philosophers and scientists.
• Plato’s “Myth of the Cave”: Identification and Assignment of Symbols Of these, he would be able to study the things in the sky and the sky itself more easily at night, looking at the light of the stars and the moon, than during the day, […]
• Philosophy Ideas Ascent: Plato’s and Socrates’s Ideas Their points of view help us to understand history better, the development of people’s thought and the changes which occur in people’s lives for passed times.”A Guided Tour of Five Works by Plato” by Christopher […]
• Plato’s Parable of the Cave and Dennis Carlson In today’s terms, one might say he linked the operations of the germ to the entire system of the disease or the understanding of the student to the entire organization of the literate world.
• “Statesman” by Plato: A Critique Plato extols the virtues of a statesman stating that it is not the power of the statesman that is important but his knowledge.
• Plato’s and Socrates’ Philosophical Views In the light of the current political or social system one can see that Plato’s comments about the involvement of the people in the public sector to destroy the republic is absolutely right.
• Psychological Relevance of Plato’s Parable of the Cave The parable of the cave, the metaphor of the cave, terms describing the same topic commonly known as the Allegory of the cave.
• Plato’s Metaphysical Ideas Validity By utilizing the Theory of Opposites, Socrates suggests that the existence of soul could not possibly end with the death of one’s body, because life and death actually derive out of each other: “Suppose we […]
• “Apology of Socrates” by Plato: Socrates’ Defense He was accused of corrupting the minds of the youths in Athens, creations of his deities, and not respecting the gods of the state.
• “Allegory of the Cave” by Plato As Plato was a disciple of Socrates and the source of much of the information we have regarding much of what this man had to say, Socrates’ concept of ethics is relevant to an understanding […]
• “Socrates’s Apology” by Plato The point about his defense is that he wanted to stick to the speech he had prepared and it was planned and was well prepared.
• Plato’s, Aristotle’s, Petrarch’s Views on Education To begin with, Plato believed that acquisition of knowledge was the way to being virtuous in life but he tended to differ with philosophers like Aristotle stating that education to be acquired from the natural […]
• Classical Political Thought. Democracy in Plato’s Republic During Plato’s life, the democratic constitution set the seal on the work of the tyranny, for it ensured the exclusion of the large landowner from a predominating influence on politics, and it put effective power […]
• The Teachings of Plato Socrates and Machiavelli In The Apology, Socrates stands before a jury of his peers accused of “committing an injustice, in that he inquires into things below the earth and in the sky, and makes the weaker argument the […]
• Socrates Figure: Based on “The Apology” by Plato This is evidenced within the text of the Apology as Socrates begins his defense of himself against the old enemies that have spoken falsely “telling of one Socrates, a wise man, who speculated about the […]
• Plato’s Forms and Its Association to Plato’s Cave It is important to note the importance of the term paradigm in analyzing a correlation or link between Plato’s Forms and the Allegory of the Cave.
• Plato’s Republic: Perspectives on Politics No doubt to avoid engendering such reactions in their first experiences with Plato, Rice has sought to minimize the buzz of controversy virtually to the point of elimination from view and to focus instead on […]
• “The Republic” by Plato Review The allegory of the cave illustrates the place of the form of the good at the top of Plato’s hierarchy. It addresses the images of education and governance.
• Life Purpose and Substance in Plato’s Philosophy Maybe she was right, but life is not going the way we want it to; in contrary we are bound ourselves to the circle of life by the stress of existence.
• Theory of Justice According to Plato The next task is to find the existence and nature of justice in this state. Plato adds to this that justice is “the principle of doing one’s own business”.
• Aristotle’s “Knowing How” and Plato’s “Knowing That” The goal of Aristotle is knowledge in action and real knowing, which merge in the higher stratum of existence – the active mind.
• Reasoning in Plato’s “Phaedo” Dialogue The author of this paper will outline all four of the philosopher’s lines of reasoning that a person’s soul is immortal while promoting the idea that it specifically the second one, concerned with one’s possession […]
• Socrates’, Plato’s and Descartes’ Philosophical Ideas In my case, I have always had that striving to be right, get to the root of every problem, and understand the world’s phenomena.
• Plato and Socrates on the Ideal Leader’s Virtues In the context of a community, different factors contribute to the definition of this ultimate success. This is important, as people in the community will stand a chance to achieve the higher statuses that they […]
• Plato’s Gorgias Applied to the Pursuit of Power In the pursuit of power, I hold the view that the aim is more valuable than the method or the approach employed.
• Plato’s and Aristotle’s Philosophical Differences According to Plato, the functioning of every human being is closely linked to the entire society. Therefore, the major difference here is that for Plato, the function of every individual is to improve the entire […]
• Plato’s Apology of Socrates He says that he is not a sophist or physicalist, he is not irreverent, and he does not corrupt the youth.
• Vocation in Plato’s “Apology” and Dostoyevsky’s “The Grand Inquisitor” I will use the texts of Plato’s “Apology, the Trial and Death of Socrates” and Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s “The Grand Inquisitor” in order to comprehensively analyze the theme and consider the questions of who I am, […]
• Conflict in Hobbes’, Marx’s, Rousseau’s, Plato’s Works Therefore, conflict can be defined in terms of the struggle to get wealth and power that are usually the main issues that propel people to fight.
• Puzzles in Plato’s Philosophical Work Therefore, to conclusively draw his philosophical views, it is paramount that we take what the characters say to represent Plato’s stance and view of the world.
• Examined Life in Plato’s and Conners’ Works We should say that Platos Allegory of the Cave could be used to prove the importance of an examined life and the role a person living according to this principle might play in the community.
• Plato’s Cave Analogy in “The Republic” The prisoners in the cave for example, refused to hear anything about the reality outside the cave, and got angry with the prisoner that had seen the reality.
• Art and Media Censorship: Plato, Aristotle, and David Hume The philosopher defines God and the creator’s responsibilities in the text of the Republic: The creator is real and the opposite of evil.
• Knowledge in Plato’s Dialogue and Pritchard’s View Plato thinks that knowledge is a guide to perform practical actions while true beliefs only in certain cases may lead to practical actions.
• Plato’s Eros in Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy The following paper will evaluate the presentations in support of Plato’s conception of Eros, by using a different approach in understanding appearance and reality and their influence on love, fate and eternity.”The Consolation of Philosophy” […]
• Plato Diner Restaurant’s Poor Management After reviewing the case, Dean and Chris are left with no choice except to settle their differences with Martha, hire her back, follow the State of New York’s tax rules, and invest in improving the […]
• Plato’s Theory of Eros in Nussbaum’s Interpretation This is done so that in the end there is a way that the individual can be able to conquer or attain the trust of the other party.
• The Cave Analogy in “The Republics” by Plato
• Philosophical Exploration in Plato’s Book ‘The Republic’
• “The Apology” a Work by Plato
• Art Effects on Society: Plato and Nochlin Views
• Political Philosophies: Plato and Hegel Conceptual Differences
• Justice in Human Gene Transfer Therapy: Plato Views
• Socrates in “Phaedrus” by Plato
• Ancient Greek Philosophy: Socrates and Plato Comparison
• “Meno” a Socratic Dialogue by Plato – Philosophy
• Plato’s Allegory of the Cave – Philosophy
• Plato Statements on the Best Moves in Life – Philosophy
• Philosopher Plato and His ‘The Republic’
• Aristotle and Plato: How Do They Differ?
• Addressing Love in Plato’s “Symposium”
• Philosophy Issues in “Euthyphro” by Plato
• Thrasymachus Ideas in The Republic by Plato
• “Crito” by Plato – Politics and Philosophy
• Literature Studies: “Phaedo” by Plato
• Musical Education and The Laws by Plato
• Plato’s Thoughts About Education
• “The Laws” by Plato
• Explaining “The Apology of Socrates“ by Plato
• Views on Writing Style by Plato, Aristotle and Dante
• Socrates by Aristophanes and Plato
• Plato and Aristotle: Criticisms of Democracy
• Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and “You, Screws”
• Plato and Nietzsche’s Approaches
• Connections Between Plato’s Allegory of the Cave & Galileo Galilei’s Dialogue of Two Chief World System
• Taxes, Capitalism, and Democracy: Karl Marx vs. Plato
• Plato on Who Should Rule
• “The Allegory of the Cave” by Plato
• Parable of the Cave by Plato: The Way Towards Enlightenment
• “Parable of the Cave” by Plato
• Five Worlds of Plato’s Cave
• Essence of Happiness of Indira’s Life According to Plato’s and Aristotle’s Views on Education
• Ancient Political Theory: Plato and Aristotle
• Plato’s and Socrates’s Philosophy
• Meno by Plato: Philosophical Ideas
• Allegory of the Cave: Conception of Education in Plato’s The Republic
• Important Virtues in Human Life: Plato’s Protagoras and Hesiod’s Works and Days
• Justice and Leadership as Expressed by Plato and Ibn Khaldum
• Plato’s Story of the Cave
• Comparison Between Descartes’ and Plato’s Notion of “Not Knowing Is at Times Fruitful”.
• Philosophy of Plato’s Ideal City
• Justice as the Advantage of the Stronger: Thrasymachus’s Ideas (plato’s the republic) vs. Charles Darwin’s Principle of Natural Selection: a Comparison
• The Republic by Plato
• Education Concept in “Parable of the Cave” by Plato
• The Truth and Reality in the “Parable of the Cave” by Plato
• Plato and the Allegory of the Caves
• Plato and Descartes on Confusion or the Sense of Not Knowing
• Plato’s Parable of the Cave
• The Dangers of Dogmatism With Approaches Adopted by Martin Luther King Jr and Plato
• Plato: Piety and Holiness in “Euthyphro”
• Philosophical Concept of the Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”
• What Is Your Evaluation of Plato’s Accounts on Human Nature?
• Why Plato Thinks Philosophers Should Be Kings?
• What Are the Four Arguments for the Immortality of the Human Soul by Plato?
• What Are the Emotional and Intellectual Revelations in Plato’s Works?
• How Humans Are Afraid of Change in Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave”?
• What Machiavelli Praised about Plato’s Republic?
• How Can Plato’s Allegory of the Cave Be Read in Contemporary Social Environment?
• What Are the Insights Into the World of Ignorance in Plato’s “Myth of the Cave”?
• What Way Did Philosophy of Plato Influence Psychology?
• What Is Plato’s Theory of Reality?
• How Plato and Sophists Would View the World of “Brave New World” by Huxley?
• Why Does Plato Considers Ordinary Human Existence to Thatos Chained Prisoners?
• What Famous School Did Plato Found?
• How Does Aristotle’s View of Politics Differ From That of Plato’s?
• Which Definition of History Was Made by Plato?
• How Does Plato Relate the Soul of Virtuous Individual to Ideal Republic in “Republic”?
• How Does Plato’s Theory of the Psyche Relate to Modern Management Practice?
• Why Thucydides and Plato View Democracy as the Worst Form of Government?
• What Is the Explanation of the Virtues and the Normative Ethical Theory of Plato?
• What Plato Thinks about God?
• What Are the Attitudes Expressed Towards Democracy by Plato?
• How Plato Reconciles the Opposition Between Parmenides and Heraclitus?
• Where the Real Socrates’ Ideas Leave Off and Where Plato’s Own Ideas Begin?
• What Did Plato Expect from Astronomy?
• What Did Plato Say on Knowledge and Forms?
• What Are Plato’s Views on the Individual’s Relationship to Society?
• What Might Plato Say About Delacroix’s “Painting of a Bed”?
• What Is the Relationship Btween Plato and the Mouth-Piece Theory?
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450 Philosophy Topics & Questions for Your Essay

When you start studying philosophy, you may think it’s boring and has nothing to do with the real world. It couldn’t be further from the truth! The study of philosophy deals with the most exciting and mysterious aspects of reality. It is closely connected with science, psychology, art, and politics. Philosophy is an integral part of universal knowledge, as well as our everyday lives. Everyone who had ever asked the question “who am I?” engaged in philosophy.

• 🔝 Top 10 Topics

💭 What Is Philosophy?

⭐ top 10 philosophy essay topics, 🏺 ancient greek philosophy topics, 🏰 medieval philosophy topics, 🎨 renaissance philosophy topics, 📚 classical german philosophy topics, 🛰️ 20th century philosophy topics, 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 ethics philosophy topics, 🏛️ philosophy schools, 💡 philosophy essay tips, 🔝 top 10 philosophy topics.

• What is metaphilosophy?
• Compare 2 schools of thought
• Ancient vs. modern philosophy
• Philosophical concepts of space
• Applied aesthetics in fashion design
• The concepts of the philosophy of self
• Ancient traditions of political philosophy
• How philosophical traditions vary by region
• Modern problems of the philosophy of religion
• Contemporary issues of environmental philosophy

As you can see, philosophy studies a lot of things, and can be divided into the following branches:

• Metaphysics studies reality: what it is, what its properties are, where does it come from, and so on. It is also concerned with the problems of personal identity, free will, and religion.
• Epistemology, which is the study of knowledge and thinking. For example, it asks such philosophical questions as “what is knowledge?” “can knowledge ever be sufficient?” “how can a certain belief be justified?” “how does perception work?” and so on.
• Logic , which studies arguments and reasoning. It includes such types of thinking as induction, abduction, and deduction.
• Ethics , which is concerned with the concepts of right and wrong behavior. It studies ethical principles, their origin, and ways by which they can be improved. Ethics also covers controversial subjects, such as abortion, animal rights, and capital punishment.
• Aesthetics , which is the study of beauty. It includes the study of artworks, perception of beauty, aesthetic experience, and other related concepts.

All these different types of philosophies are equally valid and exciting! Choose any of them and have a philosophical discussion about life, justice, happiness, time, or beauty.

• What is action theory?
• Definition of anarchism
• Philosophy of business ethics
• What is the soul made of?
• Why you should study logic
• Are beauty standards objective?
• Is religion relevant in the modern world?
• Can happiness be scientifically measured?
• Does higher intelligence make you less happy?
• Does personality consist of memories?

✍️ Philosophy Topics

Here you will find a list of philosophy topics for essays, discussions, or presentations. It can be used by high school as well as university students.

Ancient Greece can be regarded as a cradle of Western philosophy. Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and many others were the first who started questioning the world around us. Initially, Ancient Greek philosophy was interested in the essence of the universe, but then it also became oriented at the problems of consciousness, politics, and existence.

• Materialism and naturalism of the pre-Socratic period. Pre-Socratic philosophers believed that only matter was real, rejecting the ideas of spirituality. You can compare and contrast it with Platonic idealism .
• Democritus and pre-Socratic atomism. The concept that all matter is made of small particles dates back to ancient times. You can compare the idea of atomism with what we know today.
• Pre-Socratic view on knowledge and perception . This topic refers to the idea that we get all information by perceiving images of everything that surrounds us.
• Diogenes and the Sophists. Sophists believed that the universe is ruled by intelligence. They also popularized ethics and politics as philosophical aspects.
• What are the key elements of Socrates’ philosophy? Socrates was an enigmatic figure with a unique philosophical outlook. His ideas influenced everything from politics to pop culture.
• Heraclitus of Ephesus and his school. Philosophers of the Ephesian school believed that everything in the world is connected by a logical structure called Logos. This idea parallels several other concepts, such as the Tao.
• Plato’s Republic: what is democracy? In the Republic, Plato describes his views on an ideal society . It includes the concepts of what later became communism and totalitarianism.
• The Eleatic school’s doctrines. It’s a fascinating philosophy paper topic that includes the concept of one omnipotent God as opposed to many gods, as well as new standards of logical reasoning .
• Philosophy of Empedocles. Empedocles was a pre-Socratic philosopher who introduced the idea of cosmogony and fundamental forces. You can write an excellent essay about how Empedocles’ views are reflected in science.
• Plato’s ethics. Here you can discuss Plato’s ideas about virtues, happiness, harmony, and other concepts.
• Plato and idealism. Plato’s central doctrine included the notion of perfect “ideas,” which manifest itself in our material world as all objects. You can write an excellent paper on this subject!
• Plato: allegory of the cave. In this essay, you may talk about Plato’s concept of reality, definitions of microcosm and microcosm, and the “unifying idea.”
• Aristotle : logic and dialectic. Aristotle was the first philosopher who formulated the rules of logical reasoning. They were crucial in the development of exact sciences.
• Aristotle’s Metaphysics and its legacy . You can write an essay about Aristotle’s major work and how it influenced philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas.

• Hellenistic philosophy and Stoicism. The ideas of Stoics originated in Greece but were especially popular in Rome. One of the most prominent stoics, Marcus Aurelius, was also a Roman emperor.
• Stoicism and Buddhism: a comparison. This exciting philosophy essay topic allows you to compare the common concepts in these very similar philosophies : from self-discipline to eternal recurrence.
• What are the key characteristics of Skepticism? Ancient skepticism was rooted in the desire to find truth by continually questioning it. See what other ideas made the Skeptics so influential.
• The concepts of the soul in Ancient Greece. You can include Plato’s Aristotle’s , and the Stoic theory of the soul into this essay.
• Psychology in Aristotle’s De Anima. Aristotle’s writings often include ideas concerning psychology. In De Anima, he attempts to describe the human mind in connection to psychology, as well as biology.
• What were Plato’s ideas about aesthetics ? This stunning philosophy paper topic covers Plato’s concept of beauty, art, and inspiration in his dialogues Hippias Major, Republic, and Phaedrus.
• How did other philosophers influence Plato’s ideas?
• The Lyceum: Aristotle’s school and its impact.
• Mathematics and philosophy of Pythagoreanism.
• What were the concepts of principal substances in Greek philosophy?
• Heraclitus: universal flux and the unity of opposites.
• Cosmological ideas in Ancient Greece: Plato, Aristotle , Heraclitus, Empedocles.
• Seneca’s views on anger arguments by Aristotle .
• Explanation of natural phenomena: mythology vs. philosophy .

• Xenophanes and monotheism .
• Melissus of Samos: the concept of “what-is.”
• Zeno of Elea: the impact of paradoxes on philosophy and science.
• The philosophy of Democritus: anthropology .
• Diogenes: the founder of cynicism.
• Plato’s and Aristotle’s thoughts on knowledge: a comparison .
• Philosophy of Protagoras: ethics, language, argument.
• Plato’s concept of reality.
• Ancient Greek types of love: eros, agape, and philia .
• Moral Philosophical Views: From Plato to Nussbaum.
• Theophrastus: ideas on psychology, logic, and metaphysics .
• What is “the Socratic method?”
• What is Plato’s theory of recollection?
• What was Plutarch’s idea of God and daemons?
• Anaximander’s philosophy: substantial opposites and the origins of things.
• What was the concept of “logos” in different philosophies?
• Diairesis: the Platonic method.
• Aristotle’s concept of catharsis.
• The ever-changing nature of reality in ancient philosophy .
• The concept of pneuma in works of Aristotle and Stoics.
• What was Homer’s influence on Greek philosophy?
• The study of ontology in Plato, Aristotle, and Avicenna.
• Natural philosophy as the prototype of natural science.
• Moral intention concept in philosophy .
• Apeiron and other concepts in Anaximander’s cosmological theory.
• What were Hesiod’s theogony and cosmogony?
• What is the concept of “becoming” in atomism?
• What are the definitions of monad and dyad in Pythagoreanism?
• Eudemonia in works of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Stoics.

• What is the definition of arete in Plato ?
• What are the forms of the good in Plato’s Republic ?
• Aristotle’s virtue ethics .
• Aristotle’s idea of hyle vs. Plato’s eidos.
• Hylozoism in pre-Socratic philosophies.
• What is tabula rasa ?
• Metempsychosis as the concept of reincarnation.
• Ousia: the feminine principle in Ancient Greek philosophies .
• What are physis and nomos in pre-Socratic philosophies?
• What are Aristotle’s “four causes”?
• The concept of predication in Ancient Greek philosophy.
• What is the Euthyphro dilemma ?
• What Plato meant by “philosopher-king”?
• The lost city of Atlantis .
• What was the problem of universals in Ancient Greek philosophy?
• Golden mean as a virtue and an attribute of beauty.
• Pyrrhonism and its philosophy.
• The concepts of episteme and doxa.
• The problem of the criterion in Pyrrhonism.
• Acatalepsy vs. katalepsis in Stoicism.
• What are the main features of Homeric worldview?
• Aporia in rhetorics.
• What is Platonic realism ?
• Ionian school and its philosophies.
• Trivium: the three arts of discourse .
• Pathos in Aristotle and other philosophers.
• Aristotle’s views on euthanasia .
• Isocrates: rhetoric and influence.
• What is the place of hedone in Aristotle’s ethics ?
• Tetrapharmakos and other Ancient Greek views on happiness .
• Epicureanism vs. Stoicism.
• The philosophy of Epicureanism .
• Logic and ethics in works of Antisthenes.

Medieval philosophy was mostly focused on studying nature and religion. The most popular school of thought at that time was Scholasticism. It refers to a particular way of teaching and education. The Classical ideas mostly lost their influence, though some philosophers tried to incorporate the ideas of Ancient Greeks into their doctrines.

• Roger Bacon’s re-interpretation of Aristotle . In this philosophy essay, you can write about Bacon’s views on soul-body dualism , matter, universals, and knowledge

• Robert Grosseteste as the founder of the modern scientific tradition. This philosopher was one of the most remarkable figures in Medieval England. His ideas in theology and natural sciences helped to make Oxford the center of intellectual life.
• Aquinas’ five proofs of God’s existence vs. Aristotle’s four causes: a comparison. Aquinas’ Five Ways are exciting from a logical point of view. You can discuss each of them and find parallels with Aristotle’s causes of being.
• Augustine of Hippo’s idea of illumination vs. Plato’s conception of recollection: a comparison. Similarly, you can compare the theory of illumination with Plato’s “prior knowledge.”
• Aquinas : logic and debate. Aquinas famously came up with a very effective model of debate. It is based on Ancient Greek ideas and is based on including both thesis and antithesis.
• Avicenna: metaphysics . Avicenna’s study of metaphysics was aimed at understanding the connections between all things in the world. It includes his “cause chains” and the concept of intelligence .
• Augustine’s philosophy of language. Write an essay about the connections between Augustine’s thoughts and Stoic theories of grammar. Mention his original ideas, too.
• John Duns Scotus’ natural theology . Here you can discuss Scotus’ elaborate arguments for the existence of God as the first cause of everything.
• Rucelinus as the founder of nominalism. Nominalism is based on the rejection of everything abstract, as well as the absence of universals.
• What makes the Ockham’s razor principle so widely applicable? William of Ockham was a nominalist, too, and preferred simple explanations to miracles. His “razor” method is still considered very effective.
• What did Averroes contribute to philosophy and law?
• Aquinas : knowledge and perception.

• The medieval conception of motion: Aristotle vs. Avicenna.
• Avicenna’s views on natural science and atomism.
• Cosmological argument as a philosophical concept .
• Augustine’s ethics: eudaimonism in the context of Christianity.
• Augustine’s understanding of memory .
• What was St. Anselm’s conception of divine attributes?
• What were the ways of integrating sacred doctrine with secular learning in medieval philosophy?
• In what ways does faith relate to reason in medieval philosophies?
• Medieval theology as philosophy of religion.
• Scholasticism: principal characteristics.
• How did Averroes re-interpret Aristotle’s idea of time ?
• The Scholastics attitude towards Aristotle .
• Religious concepts in Eastern philosophy.
• What characterized the problem of universals in medieval philosophy?
• Peter Abelard: dialectics and conceptualism.
• Guillaume de Champeaux: the founder of moderate realism.
• What was Peter Lombard’s concept of marriage ?
• What was Albert the Great’s interpretation of Aristotelian metaphysics?
• Christian teaching of St Augustine .
• The discourse of the Apologetics : Islam, Hinduism, Judaism.
• Philosophical apologetics : main categories of arguments.
• What characterized the idea of a human soul in Aquinas and Augustine?
• The doctrines of John Wycliffe.
• Plato’s role in medieval concept of soul-body dualism.
• Theological approaches comparison: Thomas of Aquinas and Saint Augustine .
• What was the philosophy of the Dominican order ?
• The problem of free will: theological point of view.
• What are the concepts of sin and divine providence?
• What was Bonaventure’s conception of creation?
• John Duns Scotus’ contribution to Aristotelian study of matter.
• East and West teachings’ concepts differences.
• What characterized Albert of Saxony’s logic and metaphysics ?
• Nicholas of Autrecourt’s concepts of experience and perception.
• Insolubilia, or the “liar paradox”, in medieval philosophy.
• Richard Kilvington’s theology: influences and legacy.
• What was the problem of theodicy in medieval philosophy?
• William of Ockham: the notion of mental language.

• The concept and discourse of the divine freedom .

The fundamental concept of the Renaissance philosophy is humanism. It appeared as an alternative to strict religious doctrines of the Medieval period. The main inspiration for the Renaissance philosophy came from Ancient Greek and Roman sources, that’s why it is called Renaissance: a “rebirth” of classical philosophy.

• The concept of “renaissance man”. “Renaissance man” is defined as someone who embraced all available knowledge and used their full potential. See what outstanding Renaissance personalities fit this description!
• Roger Bacon’s contribution to philosophy and sciences. This philosophy paper topic includes Bacon’s ideas about logic, semiotics , optics, and other subjects. Bacon is a prime example of a “renaissance man” who excelled in many areas.
• Why is Petrarch called the “father of humanism “? Discuss Petrarch’s attitude towards ancient authors, and how his writings gave rise to a humanist philosophy that defined Renaissance .
• Tommaso Campanella’s The City of the Sun as a utopia . This book was inspired by Plato’s Republic and Atlantis, and it describes a perfect world united by a theocratic monarchy.
• Plato’s influence in the Renaissance era vs. Aristotelianism in the Middle Age. It’s an interesting philosophical topic that can show you why during the Renaissance humanism became so popular.
• Humanists vs. Calvinists: a comparison. Here you can write about the Calvinist concept of predestination and Humanist idea of freedom.
• François Rabelais as a humanist. Discuss Rabelais’ Gargantua and Pantagruel books and point out humanist ideas in them!
• The Renaissance critique of scholasticism. With the rise of humanism , scholasticism lost its popularity. It was now considered formalistic and too rigid. Find out why!
• In what ways does Calvinism parallel capitalism? The way Calvinist influenced capitalism and the American Dream can be an excellent topic for an essay or a research paper.
• How did Machiavelli bring humanism into politics? Niccolo Machiavelli revolutionized the concept of politics. He promoted the idea of ambition and innovation as opposed to virtue.

• The critique of Pelagianism by Jerome and Augustine .
• Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam’s “Christian humanism.”
• Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples’s role in Protestant reformation .
• Thomas More’s Utopia.
• Giovanni Pico della Mirandola’s “manifesto of the Renaissance”.
• How did Martin Luther’s theology change Europe?
• John Calvin and his philosophy.
• Mona Lisa and Renaissance humanism .
• Who were the heretics?
• Nominalism: impact on doubting faith.
• What philosophical, intellectual, and political conditions led to the Reformation?
• Skepticism during the Renaissance period.
• How did Paul of Venice expand on Averroes’ ideas?
• The question of the immortality of the soul in Renaissance-era philosophy.
• What characterized Nicoletto Vernia’s gnoseology and logic?
• Pietro Pomponazzi’s discussion of the supernatural .
• Jacopo Zabarella’s new method of scientific inquiry.
• What was Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa’s Pyrrhonic skepticism?
• What were Lorenzo Valla’s methods of textual analysis and criticism?
• How did Rudolph Agricola revolutionize rhetorical studies?
• Why is Juan Luis Vives considered “the father of modern psychology ?”
• Political influence of William Shakespeare .
• The evolution of psychology during the Renaissance period : spiritual and biological aspects.
• What characterized Platonism and Neoplatonism in the Renaissance era?
• How did Marsilio Ficino merge ideas of both Plato and Aristotle?
• The history of European alchemy .
• John Dee’s philosophy, alchemy, and divination.
• Magic and science in Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and Marsilio Ficino.
• What were Nicholas of Cusa’s political and philosophical contributions?
• What was the influence of Kabbalah in Renaissance-era Italy?
• What were the key differences between medieval and Renaissance notions of probability?
• What characterized Bessarion’s Neoplatonic views on science?
• The concept of Platonic love in Ficino, Bembo, and Leone Ebreo.
• Michel de Montaigne’s skepticism and its legacy.
• René Descartes’ philosophy and influence.

• Francisco Sanches: empirical skepticism.
• Pierre Gassendi and atomism of the Renaissance era.
• Bernardino Telesio’s critique of metaphysics and the importance of empiricism .
• The legacy of Giordano Bruno.
• Franciscus Patricius’ theory of the universe .

Classical German philosophy is synonymous with Idealism. The most influential philosopher of that period, Immanuel Kant, paved the way for the exploration of human will, consciousness, and ego. Later the ideas of idealists inspired psychoanalysis.

• How did Johann Gottlieb Fichte transform Kant’s critical idealism into absolute idealism? It includes the elimination of the “thing-in-itself” concept and proclaiming the self as the ultimate reality .
• Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling’s absolute idealism . According to von Schelling, everything we see are the works of imagination, and nature itself is spiritual. These ideas influenced German Romanticism.
• How did Kant differentiate modes of thinking? In this essay, you can discuss analytic and synthetic propositions, their definitions, and applicability.
• Kant’s ethical ideas . See how they’re connected to his belief in everyone’s fundamental freedom.
• How did Immanuel Kant influence other philosophers? Kant was hugely influential: in particular, he provided the basis for what later became Marxism .
• Leibniz’s concept of knowledge . You can include Leibniz’s idea that it’s possible to understand everything in the world with the help of logic and analysis.
• How did Indian philosophy influence Schopenhauer ? For example, you can study the influence of Buddhism in Schopenhauer’s idea that the world is full of suffering , which can be overcome by way of renunciation.
• What did Nietzsche mean by saying that “God is dead”? This quote is often misunderstood. In fact, it is hinting at the fact that traditional values have lost their power.
• What were Immanuel Kant’s antinomies? Antinomies are contradictions that can both be justified. They create logical paradoxes.
• What are the main points of Kant’s transcendentalism ? In short, transcendental idealism focuses on the self as the center of reality. People get information about the outer world, but it will never be able to know the world as it is.
• Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and his philosophy.

• The problem of subjectivity and consciousness in German Idealism .
• What are paralogisms?
• Ends-in-themselves and means-to-ends: definition and comparison.
• What is Hegel’s absolute spirit?
• Schopenhauer ‘s philosophy of pessimism.
• How did Nietzsche influence the ideas of the National Socialists?
• Kierkegaard’s angst and “fear and trembling.”
• What are Leibniz’s contributions to metaphysics and epistemology?
• Benedict de Spinoza and his doctrines.
• F.W.J. Schelling’s understanding of nature.
• Ethics and moral philosophy in Kant, Nietzsche, and others .
• Schelling’s identity philosophy .
• Ludwig Feuerbach anthropological materialism .
• Kierkegaard’s conception of irony.
• What were Christian Thomasius’ views on reason and prejudice?
• What was Christian Wolff’s role in German philosophical thought?
• What are the main features of Pietism?
• Who were the Thomasians?
• How did Sturm und Drang movement influence philosophy?
• Baumgarten’s Aesthetica and the concept of art.
• What characterized Elisabeth of the Palatinate’s critique of Descartes ?
• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s impact on German philosophy.
• What did Johann Gottfried Herder mean by “the great chain of being”?
• What was Richard Warner’s influence on Nietzsche’s philosophy ?
• What was Johanna Charlotte Unzer’s contribution to feminism ?
• Friedrich Hölderlin as an Idealist.
• Epistemology and metaphysics: philosophers views.
• What are Karl Marx’s concepts of labor, class, and capital ?
• What were Schleiermacher’s thoughts on psychology and knowledge?
• What was Schleiermacher’s influence on Gadamer and Heidegger?
• What were Nietzsche’s main “positive values?”
• What was Nietzsche’s interpretation of nihilism?
• Nietzsche’s doctrine of “will to power.”
• What impact had Eastern philosophy on Nietzsche’s work ?
• Nietzsche’s concept of Apollonian vs. Dionysian and its impact on culture.
• What was the role of Plato and Aristotle in classical German philosophy?
• Leibniz’s vs. Pythagorean theory of monads: a comparison.
• What is Leibniz’s “fundamental question of metaphysics ?”
• Gottfried Leibniz’s contribution to logic.

In the 20th century, philosophy was developing just as rapidly as technology. New standards of living, change of values, wars, and conflicts led to increased disappointment and alienation among people. Philosophers of that era tried to reflect on these changes and come up with new outlooks on life and the world around us.

• Karl Popper’s concept of three worlds. This philosophy topic includes the analysis of three categories of reality (physical objects, mental works, and objective knowledge ) and their interactions.
• How did the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics influence idealism in the 20th century? It’s a terrific philosophy question that shows the complexity of our reality.
• The philosophy of modernism as a reflection of societal changes. It includes the massive influence of art on modernism . See what led to the rejection of realism and increased focus on personal experience.
• Lyotard’s Postmodern Condition: technology, communication, and mass media. Lyotard’s book offers a surprisingly accurate glimpse into the 21st century’s spread of communication technologies . It can be an exciting paper topic.
• Marxism-Leninism : key concepts and legacy. In this essay, you can discuss world revolutions, vanguardism, and other concepts that led to the popularity and eventual demise of Marxist-Leninist philosophy.
• Marxism vs. Freudism differences . Freudism was based on psychoanalysis; later, Freud’s ideas about the human psyche were expanded into a philosophy concerned with society as a whole.
• Slavoj Zizek’s concept of The Real. Inspired by Lacan’s psychoanalysis , Zizek formulated a classification of different types of The Real. He provided examples from pop culture, such as The Matrix .
• Feminist philosophers: Rosa Luxemburg , Sandra Bartky, Julia Kristeva . While the philosophy of the 20th century was dominated by men, there were also many outstanding women. You can choose to write about them!
• Foucault’s theories of power, knowledge, and subjectivity. Foucault’s philosophy was very influential in society, as well as in the arts. In many ways, he shaped postmodernism as we know it.
• Deconstruction as a critique of Platonism. Deconstructivism concerned everything from architecture to queer studies. It was influenced by Nietzsche and critiqued Plato’s idea of forms .
• Walter Benjamin ‘s “angel of history.” This is a wonderful topic that covers Benjamin’s concept of history and the importance of remembering the past exactly as it was.

• Jacque Derrida’s key concepts: an overview. Here you can discuss the ideas Derrida introduced to philosophy as well as literature studies and politics.
• Karl Marx views on history . Karl Marx’s historical materialism was tremendously influential in early socialist societies. Explore it in your essay!
• Theodore Herzl and Zionism . This philosophy topic is closely connected with 20th-century history. You can also discuss arguments for and against Zionism.
• Jacques Lacan’s impact on philosophy , linguistics, and film theory . Discuss Lacan’s concepts such as the “mirror stage” and” the Other” in your philosophy essay!
• International development, colonialism, social inequality and class stratification. This topic is centered on the influence of the colonial past on today’s politics. You’d be surprised to see how much colonial worldview affected almost every facet of life in all countries.
• Behaviorism and philosophy of mind. It’s a very interesting branch of philosophy that has elements of natural science, linguistics, and psychology . See what different approaches to behavior were proposed by philosophers, and describe them in an argumentative essay!
• Being-in-itself in Heidegger and Sartre . This topic is closely connected with several other concepts, such as Dasein and bad faith, and it can be an excellent theme for an extended research paper.
• John Searle’s “Chinese room.” It is an exciting topic about the philosophical aspects of artificial intelligence. “Chinese room” is a thought experiment that led to many curious replies.
• Existentialism in Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea: an analysis . Here you can study one of the most brilliant books of the 20th century from the philosophical point of view! Discuss what made Sartre’s Nausea so famous and influential.
• Anarchism in the 20th century: the classical era.
• Communism: theory and reality .
• The fundamental concepts of existentialism: angst, despair, the absurd .

• Existentialism in France after WWII: key figures.
• Karl Popper’s critique of historicism.
• Determinism : mathematical models and the quantum realm.
• Post-modernism vs. modernism: a comparison.
• Foucault’s conceptions of biopower and biopolitics.
• Structuralism concept in philosophy .
• What was Karl Marx’s idea of a higher-stage communist society?
• Friedrich Engels ‘ socialism vs. the Soviet economic model.
• How Aristotle and other Greeks influenced Heidegger?
• Heidegger’s concepts of “present-at-hand” and “ready-to-hand.”
• Bertrand Russell and analytical philosophy .
• What was Frankfurt school’s dialectical method of investigation?
• Freudian perspective on dreams .
• Jaques Maritain and neo-Thomism.
• What were the breakthroughs of 20th-century feminism?
• What was the influence of war and globalization on the late 20th-century anarchism ?
• Queer theory and philosophy of gender.
• The concept of the Other in philosophy, psychology, and film.
• The power of ideas: from ancient to modern philosophies.
• Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics.
• What are the key ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre’s philosophy ?
• Simone de Beauvoir’s existentialist philosophy .
• What is the concept of Dasein in Heidegger’s Being and Time?
• The Decline of the West: what caused Oswald Spengler’s bleak outlook on the future?
• Philosophical views of Albert Camus: absurdism, existentialism, anarcho-syndicalism.
• Absurdism: parallels with nihilism and existentialism .
• Nihilism in the 20th century: Deleuze , Derrida, Heidegger, Lyotard.
• Jean Baudrillard: the concept of simulacra .
• Camus’s The Stranger and Rousseau’s Natural Man .
• How do Derrida’s concepts of différance and trace correspond to ideas of Plato and Aristotle ?
• What was Edmund Husserl’s contribution to phenomenology?
• Roland Barthes’ semiotics and structuralism .
• “Death of the Author”: Bartes vs. Foucault .
• Hannah Arendt : the origins of Nazism and Stalinism.
• Julius Evola’s critique of fascism and national-socialism.
• Iris Murdoch’s philosophy and influences.
• Feminist philosophers: Rosa Luxemburg, Sandra Bartky, Julia Kristeva.
• How did Russian cosmism influence space exploration?
• What was Heidegger’s influence on Sartre’s Being and Nothingness?
• Of Grammatology: Derrida’s critique of structuralism.
• Henry Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience.
• Berlin and Vienna circles of logical positivism and their characteristics.
• Marxist feminism as opposed to the exploitation of women in capitalism.
• The Communist Manifesto and its legacy .

• The concept of social privilege from Du Bois to the late 20th century.
• Richard Taylor’s view of cruelty and compassion .
• The development of the “collective conscious” concept.
• Emile Zola’s positivism.
• Activity theory and its field of usage.
• The philosophy of Maoism.
• What is “Moore’s paradox,” and how can it be used?
• Philosophy of artificial intelligence .
• Umberto Eco’s philosophical works.
• What are the characteristics of empiricism?
• The “cultural turn” of the ’70s.
• Claude Lévi-Strauss: philosophical and anthropological ideas.
• Social character and social psychology .
• Georg Simmel’s philosophy of money .
• What is the role of classical pragmatism in the development of feminist theories ?
• Jane Addams and her ethical principles .
• Holism in philosophy: an overview.
• Can the concept of noosphere be considered real?
• Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: controversies and influence on the New Age movement.
• Bertrand Russell’s Problems of Philosophy .
• Edmund Husserl’s phenomenology of temporality.
• Intentism: authorial intent vs. death of the author.
• The concept of aboutness in philosophy of mind .

The basic definition of ethics is “moral philosophy.” It is concerned with the problems of good and evil, right and wrong, and everything in-between. The first ethical teachings appeared in ancient times, but they’ve always been changing throughout history, and they vary among different nations.

• What are the three main theories of ethics ? In this essay, you can talk about utilitarian, deontological , and virtue ethics as the basis for ethical reasoning.
• What are the main principles of utilitarian ethics? The main appeal of utilitarianism is its promise to produce greater good for a greater number of people. However, it also has a number of dubious aspects.
• What is Internet ethics? Write about the ethical problems of the information age and discuss their role in globalization.

• Virtue ethics and its main concepts . This topic includes the definitions of virtues and vices given from different points of view. You can also trace these concepts throughout the history of philosophy and show how they have changed.
• What are the main challenges of deontological ethics ? Here you can discuss problems that arise out of the principle “people should be treated with respect according to their rights.”
• The problem of free will . The discussion of moral responsibility and control can serve as an excellent basis for a research paper!
• What are the peculiarities of Chinese ethics? Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism , and globalization – see what influenced the ethics of Chinese people over the course of history.
• The ethics of religious belief: Christianity, Judaism , Islam, Buddhism. Different religions have their ethical peculiarities. Some people argue that without religious belief, a person can’t be moral. Discuss it in your paper!
• Personal information, privacy , and other ethical issues of Internet search engines. You can mention both the positive and negative aspects of private data collection via search engines.
• The ethics of cultural appropriation . It is a controversial topic that should include the definition of what can and can’t be qualified as offensive. Discuss past events, such as colonialism, that contributed to the problem of cultural appropriation.
• What are the specifics of feminist ethics?
• Gender binarism as an ethical issue.
• Emotions: definition of love .
• The ethics of the US voting system.
• What are the distinctive features of morality ?
• The concepts of freedom and responsibility in relation to metaethics.
• The benefits of “human-values approach” to computer ethics .
• Ethics of working environment .
• What are the main views on public health ethics?
• What are the ethical problems of human tests in clinical research ?
• The milestones of animal rights activism.
• What is beneficence and benevolence in ethical theory?
• The ethical problems of social justice .
• Business ethics: from Ancient Greece to modern era.
• Confronting physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia .
• Environmental ethics and deep ecology.
• What are the ethical issues of Manifest Destiny?
• Bioethics and its main disciplines.
• Axiology: the relations between ethics and aesthetics.

• What are the issues of organ donation ?
• Neutrality vs. moral agency in ethics of technology.
• What are the central moral issues of human enhancement?
• The “is-ought problem” of evolutionary ethics.
• The issues of human/non-human chimera creation.
• Should animals have the same rights as humans?
• What is the definition and issues of informed consent ?
• The moral challenges of parent-child relationships .
• The ethics of war: the “just war” theory.
• What’s the difference between utilitarianism and hedonism?
• Ethics in psychotherapy: principles and issues.
• Conscience and its main characteristics.
• What are the moral issues of stem cell research?
• Disability ethics: promotion and optimization.
• What is the role of ethics in education?
• The principles of global justice.
• Gender issues in public ethics.
• What is the difference between ethical and unethical marketing ?
• Abolition of capital punishment .
• What are the possible ethical questions of postmortem autopsies?
• Should abortions be legal?

🧐 Top 50 Philosophical Questions

• Is there such a thing as free will?
• What are the constituents of a good life?
• Can mathematical concepts be considered real?
• Does chaos always triumph over order?
• What is the role of religion in modern society?
• Can a lie be justified ?
• Should we strive for immortality ?
• What makes us human?
• Is evil a necessary part of life?
• Is it possible to find answers to all questions about the Universe ?
• What’s the point of art?
• Is there such a thing as destiny ?
• Does knowledge make up happier?
• Can we separate art from the artist ?
• Do our small actions affect the world?
• Is it possible to know a person completely?
• Does power corrupt?
• Is religion necessary for morality?
• Is hedonism a right way of life?
• What does it mean to be conscious ?
• What makes a genius ?
• Can thoughts exist without language?
• Why do people need poetry and fiction?
• Can a murder be justified?
• Is there inherent order in nature?
• What are the limits of free speech?

• Is media censorship necessary?
• Why is beauty associated with morality?
• How can we eliminate prejudice ?
• How will the spread of AI change the world ?
• Should genetic engineering be allowed?
• Is it possible to bridge the gap between the wealthy and the poor?
• Is democracy an effective way of government?
• Why have women been oppressed throughout history?
• Can perfect laws ever be created?
• Why do many people like conspiracy theories ?
• Is a formal education important ?
• Will there be an end to technological progress ?
• Is it possible to be completely free?
• How much do genetics influence human personality?
• Is there such a thing as synchronicity?
• Should animals be used in medical experiments?
• Why is it important to preserve cultural heritage ?
• Should coma patients be kept on life support?
• What is the true nature of time?
• Is it possible to free ourselves from all material thoughts?
• Why is success so important to people?
• Why are people afraid of death ?
• Is there such a thing as soulmates?
• How much freedom should children have?

Throughout history, philosophers have developed many schools of thought. Their ideas vary, but they’re also interconnected. Here is the list of philosophies from Philosophy 101 book that will help you prepare for exam or test:

• Aristotelianism is a school of thought inspired by Aristotle and his followers. Aristotle rejected Plato’s concept of “ideas” and placed more emphasis on practical wisdom. He also developed what we know as the deductive method of reasoning, as well as a highly influential idea that everything has a purpose. Aristotelianism served as a basis for Scholasticism.
• Atomism is an ancient idea that everything in the world is made out of tiny “atoms.” It proved to be very accurate in the Modern era. The conception of atoms was used not only in natural sciences but also as a way to answer philosophical questions, such as “ why does everything change? “
• Cynicism can be considered a way of life. The Cynics opposed conventions and lived in harmony with nature. They were also famously straightforward and advocated free speech. The most prominent Cynic was Diogenes.

• Stoicism was partially inspired by cynics. Stoics such as Seneca and Epictetus thought that a true sage should be impassionate and calm. They taught people not to worry about things beyond one’s control and that “virtue is sufficient for happiness.”
• Platonism was founded by Plato. According to him, there exists another realm beyond our material world. It is filled with abstract objects (“ideas” or “forms”) which manifest themselves in our world as concrete objects of different kinds. Platonism was popular during the Renaissance, and it served as a basis for Idealism and Humanism.
• Zen Buddhist philosophy originates from Japan. It aims at attaining perfection by way of achieving enlightenment. According to Zen Buddhists, all things in life are equally important. A person should always live “here and now,” and free themselves from all unnecessary thoughts and feelings.
• Scholasticism can be characterized as a method of learning. Initially, it was meant to combine the ideas of Christianity with Aristotelian philosophy. Later it encompassed logic, science, psychology, linguistics, and many other elements. Scholasticism introduced many essential aspects of logical reasoning, such as thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. It was especially popular during the Middle Ages.
• Humanism was the leading philosophical school during the Renaissance. It was influenced by the Italian poet Petrarch, who popularized classical Greek writings. It lead to the re-discovery of Ancient Greek philosophers, such as Plato, as well as classical arts and literature. Humanism was characterized by the increased importance of human life as opposed to God, striving for perfection, and reliance on scientific methods.
• Existentialism is a significant philosophical school of the 19th-20th centuries. In the center of existentialism was a person with their unique subjective experience. Some of the leading Existentialists, such as Sartre, were novelists and influenced literature with their writings. It also influenced psychology by introducing concepts of anxiety and dread.
• Absurdism is closely related to Existentialism. Its main idea is that searching for the meaning of life is meaningless, as it does more harm than good. We must come to terms with the absurdity of the universe and learn to accept it as it is, without resorting to religion.
• Idealism is another influential school of philosophy which is based on Platonism. It emphasizes the mind and human perception. Some Idealists postulate that the world is an illusion, and only what’s inside our minds is real. Immanuel Kant is considered the most influential Idealist. He argued that the brain perceives reality in a distorted way, and we can never see things as they really are.
• Postmodernism is one of the most prominent philosophical schools of the 20th century. It re-contextualized the notions of identity, reality, difference, and meaning while introducing new concepts. Postmodernism can be described as playful, skeptical, and ambiguous.
• Marxism is a philosophical school that played a massive role in the history of the 20th century. It is mostly concerned with economics and sociology. It introduced the ideas of the proletariat, class struggle, and socialism. These concepts became crucial in the development of Socialist and Communist societies, such as the USSR and China. The most prominent Marxist thinkers are Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
• Feminist philosophy is focused on justice for women, as well as marginalized groups. It fights prejudice and tackles many controversial topics, such as racism and disability. Besides, feminists rethink existing philosophical ideas and make their original contributions to philosophy and science.

Writing a philosophy essay can be a great experience! It teaches you to see the problem from different angles, analyze it, and improve your critical thinking. Besides, studying a philosophy topic allows you to learn new things about the world and even about yourself!

First of all, you need to choose a good paper topic . It can be a classic philosophy topic concerning different schools of thought, or it can be a more abstract existential question. If the problem is too broad, try to narrow it down as much as possible. Also, if you’re only starting to study philosophy, find an easy topic that you can work with. Choose something that will be interesting for you to research!

When you come up with a theme, think of something you can discuss from different sides . Philosophy is all about questioning, debating, and a deeper understanding of things, both real and hypothetical. If you choose to write about the works of a famous philosopher, go ahead and add your own thoughts on the topic!

e.g., Plato’s Republic has many outstanding ideas, but I disagree with his concept of selecting the wisest people to be rulers.

The second step is the thesis statement . Express the main point of your essay or paper in one sentence. It is possible to write it at a later stage. However, if you start with a thesis statement, it would help you stay on topic. It should present the aim of your paper and convince the readers that your work is important. It will also be beneficial if you write an outline!

e.g., Socratic dialogue helped to advance the way of thinking.

Then you come up with arguments for and against your thesis statement . This way, you’ll see the subject from multiple points of view, and you’ll be able to discuss it more fully.

You can present your arguments in different ways:

The arguments can be positive or negative – that is, they can either support or refute the thesis statement. You can use evidence from life or quote the ideas of other philosophers. If you’ve chosen a big philosophical question, e.g., “ what is the meaning of life? ” you can select arguments for related problems, such as “should everything always have meaning?” or “why is meaning important?” Don’t forget to show how all these questions are related to your main topic!

e.g., the Socratic method can be very beneficial in education and psychotherapy; at the same time, it may be used for manipulating people.

When coming up with arguments, choose only the strongest ones . The same thing goes for examples. They can be empirical or hypothetical, but most important of all, credible. As philosophy is interconnected with all kinds of arts and sciences, you can find your evidence everywhere: in fiction, physics, or psychology. The choice is yours!

We are sure that these tips will help you to write a perfect philosophy paper. Now it’s time to choose your topic and get started! Good luck!

The most interesting topics in philosophy are usually concerned with politics, the human mind, and ethics. They can also be inspired by modern-day problems. E.g. how does philosophy apply to an AI, or can AI become better than humans.

Philosophy covers a vast number of topics. They can be related to everything from politics to quantum physics. There are classical questions, such as the purpose of life, but also new topics about the modern world, like computer ethics.

The Greek philosopher Socrates is often called the father of western philosophy. He taught his disciples the importance of asking questions, showing that philosophy is the art of searching for the truth.

There are five major areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, logic, ethics, and aesthetics. They study reality, knowledge, debate, morality, and beauty.

🔎 References

• Scholasticism: Philosophy Basics
• Renaissance Philosophy: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• History of Philosophy | Ancient Philosophy: Illinois State University
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Main Page
• Ethics: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Virtue Ethics: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Ethical Theories: The Arthur W. Page Center
• Atomism: Encyclopedia Britannica
• A Brief Guide to Writing a Philosophy Paper: Harvard University
• Feminist Philosophy: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• What is Marxism: All About Philosophy
• Idealism: CUNY
• Postmodernism Philosophy: Encyclopedia Britannica
• Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy: Encyclopedia Britannica
• What is Philosophy?: Florida State University
• Karl Marx | Biography, Philosophy and Facts: Famous Philosophers
• Kant and the Foundations of Analytic Philosophy: Academia
• Immanuel Kant: International Bureau of Education
• Friedrich Nietzsche Philosophy: The Quintessential Mind
• German Idealism: New World Encyclopedia
• Greek Philosophy: Ancient History Encyclopedia
• Medieval Philosophy: Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Medieval Philosophy: The University of Tennessee Martin
• Renaissance Philosophy Review: Birkbeck University of London
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Political Philosophy Research Paper Topics

This page provides a comprehensive list of political philosophy research paper topics that aim to guide students through the vast expanse of ideas, theories, and debates that have influenced political thought over the ages. Political philosophy, with its emphasis on societal structures, rights, justice, and governance, offers a rich tapestry of subjects for academic exploration. Navigating these topics is crucial for understanding the foundational principles that have dictated and continue to shape political systems worldwide.

100 Political Philosophy Research Paper Topics

Political philosophy holds an esteemed position in the vast realm of philosophical inquiry, examining the fundamental nature of governance, rights, freedom, and societal structures. As societies evolve, so too does the need for a deepened understanding of the principles that guide them. Diving into political philosophy research paper topics is more than an academic exercise; it’s an exploration into the fabric of our collective societal heritage and a forecast of future trajectories.

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• Origin and evolution of political thought.
• Natural rights and their influence on politics.
• The role of reason in political decision-making.
• The concept of the common good.
• Pluralism and its implications.
• Classical vs. modern political philosophies.
• The notion of political obligation.
• Autonomy and its role in politics.
• Political philosophy and the question of human nature.
• Liberty, equality, and their tensions.
• Rousseau’s Social Contract and the general will.
• Locke’s Two Treatises of Government and property rights.
• Hobbes’ Leviathan and the necessity of a strong sovereign.
• Rawls’ theory of justice and the veil of ignorance.
• Scanlon’s contractualism.
• Gauthier’s Morals by Agreement.
• Contemporary criticisms of social contract theories.
• The role of trust in social contracts.
• Feminist perspectives on the social contract.
• The social contract and non-Western philosophies.
• Classical principles of Athenian democracy.
• Modern representative democracies.
• Merits and criticisms of autocratic governance.
• The rise and implications of technocratic governance.
• Participatory vs. deliberative democracy.
• The challenges of direct democracy.
• Monarchies and their evolving roles.
• Theocracy and its place in modern politics.
• Tribal and indigenous governance structures.
• Supranational entities and global governance.
• The philosophical foundations of human rights.
• Balancing individual freedom and collective responsibility.
• Limitations and responsibilities of free speech.
• Rights to privacy in the digital age.
• Economic rights and their implications.
• Rights of marginalized and indigenous groups.
• Environmental rights and intergenerational justice.
• Philosophical debates on freedom vs. security.
• The right to revolt and civil disobedience.
• Duties and the scope of global responsibilities.
• Socratic views on governance and society.
• Medieval political thought and the divine right.
• Enlightenment thinkers and the rise of republicanism.
• Fascist and Nazi political philosophies.
• Post-colonial political thought.
• Marxism and its global implications.
• Feminist political philosophies through history.
• Confucianism and East Asian political thought.
• African Ubuntu philosophy and politics.
• The political thought of the American Founding Fathers.
• Rawls’ Theory of Justice.
• Nozick’s Anarchy, State, and Utopia.
• Distributive vs. commutative justice.
• The gendered perspective on justice.
• Restorative and retributive justice.
• The philosophy of social and economic equality.
• Capability approach to justice.
• The philosophical foundations of affirmative action.
• Intersecting oppressions and justice.
• The role of luck in justice and fairness debates.
• Classical conceptions of political power.
• Weber’s tripartite classification of authority.
• The problem of political obligation.
• Foucault’s power/knowledge thesis.
• Challenges to political legitimacy.
• The philosophical underpinnings of civil resistance.
• Power dynamics in international relations.
• The concept of soft power.
• Critical theory and power structures.
• The philosophy behind sovereign immunity.
• Just War theory and its critiques.
• Philosophical perspectives on nuclear deterrence.
• Humanitarian interventions and their ethical implications.
• Realism vs. liberalism in international politics.
• Kant’s Perpetual Peace and modern peace theories.
• The politics and philosophy of global institutions.
• Philosophical underpinnings of international law.
• Terrorism, radicalism, and their challenges to political philosophy.
• The ethics of drone warfare.
• Philosophical discussions on global migration and borders.
• Philosophical defenses and critiques of capitalism.
• Marxist theory and its contemporary relevance.
• The evolution and varieties of socialism.
• Anarchist philosophies and critiques of the state.
• Fascism and its ideological roots.
• Libertarianism: principles and criticisms.
• Environmental political philosophies.
• Feminist political ideologies.
• Postmodern political thought.
• The future of neoliberalism.
• Contemporary Issues and Challenges in Political Philosophy.
• The philosophical implications of populism.
• Identity politics and its critiques.
• Political philosophy in the age of information.
• Climate change and political responsibilities.
• Bioethics, technology, and governance.
• Challenges and opportunities of globalism.
• Philosophical perspectives on nationalism.
• The future of democracy in a digital age.
• The rights and roles of AI in politics.
• The political implications of post-truth.

As we delve into the labyrinth of political philosophy research paper topics, we find ourselves confronted with a vast array of ideas, theories, and questions that have shaped societies for millennia. The dynamic interplay of power, rights, governance, and ethics remains as relevant today as it did in the days of Plato and Aristotle. Engaging with these topics is more than an academic endeavor—it’s a journey into the heart of what it means to be human, to be a citizen, and to be a part of the ever-evolving story of civilization. The timeless value of political philosophy serves as a testament to its enduring influence and the essential role it plays in our collective narrative.

The Range of Political Philosophy Research Paper Topics

Introduction

The annals of Western thought have been significantly shaped by the enduring influence of political philosophy. From the early musings of Socratic dialogues to the nuanced debates in contemporary think tanks, political philosophy provides a compass by which societies navigate the turbulent waters of governance, rights, and justice.

Overview of the Historical Evolution of Political Philosophy

Political philosophy, as a distinct discipline, has its roots in ancient civilizations. Early Greek thinkers, notably Plato and Aristotle, laid the groundwork for many debates that persist today. Their considerations of the ideal state, justice, and the nature of leadership set the stage for millennia of discourse. This classical foundation was built upon during the Roman era by philosophers like Cicero and later during the Enlightenment by figures such as Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. Their discussions on social contracts, individual rights, and the separation of powers have left an indelible mark on Western political systems.

The 19th and 20th centuries ushered in a plethora of new ideologies, spurred by industrialization, wars, and revolutions. Thinkers like Marx and Engels critiqued capitalism and introduced revolutionary socialist ideals. Concurrently, the horrors of war led to reflections on nationalism, imperialism, and the ethics of conflict, with philosophers like Hannah Arendt dissecting the roots of totalitarianism and the banality of evil.

Relevance of Political Philosophy Research Paper Topics

A venture into political philosophy research paper topics offers a unique prism through which one can comprehend the evolution and diversity of human governance. Every political system, from monarchies to democracies, springs from a foundational philosophical rationale. For instance, understanding the American Revolution and its aftermath is enriched by a grasp of Lockean principles of life, liberty, and property. Similarly, dissecting the rise and fall of Soviet communism is more insightful when one considers Marxist-Leninist tenets.

Moreover, as globalization melds East and West, there’s an increasing importance in understanding non-Western political philosophies. Confucianism’s influence on East Asian governance models, or the Ubuntu philosophy’s impact on African communal values, are testament to the vast expanse of political philosophical thought.

Contemporary Significance and Challenges Addressed by Political Philosophy

Today, the world is no less complex than it was for our philosophical forebears. We grapple with issues of globalism vs. nationalism, the role of AI in governance, and the sociopolitical ramifications of climate change. These challenges necessitate a philosophical lens. For instance, debates on global migration are enriched by applying Rawlsian principles of justice. Similarly, the ethical implications of surveillance in our digital age can be assessed through Foucauldian concepts of power dynamics.

Political philosophy research paper topics also offer avenues to dissect newer ideologies and movements. The rise of populism in various parts of the world, debates surrounding identity politics, and the philosophical underpinnings of the alt-right or antifa movements provide rich grounds for exploration.

The Role of Political Philosophy in Shaping Public Opinion, Policy-making, and Societal Norms

While often regarded as a high-brow academic pursuit, political philosophy is intrinsically tied to the pulse of the street. The philosophical convictions of thinkers often trickle down to shape public opinion and, by extension, influence policy-making. For instance, the principles articulated in John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty inform contemporary discussions on free speech and societal limits.

Additionally, societal norms, like our collective views on privacy, freedom, or equality, are continually shaped by ongoing philosophical discourses. The feminist philosophical movement, for example, has had tangible impacts, reshaping societal norms and pushing for policy changes in areas like workplace rights, reproductive health, and representation.

As the global landscape undergoes rapid and unpredictable shifts, the significance of political philosophy research paper topics becomes ever more pronounced. These topics, rooted in age-old debates yet adaptable to contemporary quandaries, provide invaluable tools for dissecting, understanding, and ultimately shaping the world around us. In a globalized, digitized age, political philosophy remains a beacon, illuminating the path for governance, societal values, and human rights. Its timeless relevance stands as a testament to the depth and breadth of issues it addresses, guiding societies past, present, and future.

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