Philosophy – Structure & Style

Organizing Your Paper

Philosophy papers differ based on their prompts and intention, although all papers should ATFQ (Answer The Freakin’ Question).

Overview

• One might think of philosophical writing as the writing out of a mathematical proof in prose. The goal is to make an argument strong enough that a reader is convinced that your conclusion holds. Every paragraph, sentence, and word should contribute to that goal.
• It is vital that the author establish clear definitions such that the reader has no cause to misconstrue an important word or phrase. The reader should be able to take a philosophical paper and write out the argument in a series of bullet points.

Review of an article

Outline the relevant parts of the original author’s argument.

• Explain all of the premises and how they relate to the conclusion.
• Never assume the reader agrees.
• If the argument relies on an assumption, the writer should explicitly say so.

Higher level philosophy class papers

You will be asked to formulate original arguments, often in response to another article.

1. These papers will often follow this structure:
   1. Give the argument’s background. State what the original article states and its structure.
   2. Find a weak point in the argument and object to it.
   3. Provide a solution or an alternative argument.
   4. Another option is to build upon the original argument with their own steps and come to another conclusion.
2. Consider any possible objections.
   • Read your own arguments critically and find its weak points that are open to objection.
   • Mention these objections, and try and refute them.
3. Vocabulary and phrasing: Must be consistent, clear, and concise.
   • Define every term.
   • Use the same words for the same ideas.
     • Using different words can confuse the reader or leave their argument vulnerable to refutation.
     • For example, do not substitute “person” for “human” since in philosophy those things could mean completely different things. Think, artificial intelligence.
   • Get to the point.
     • Philosophy papers are arguments, not expositions or narratives- anything extraneous gets in the way.
     • Leave out any “fluff.”
     • There should be nothing added that is not directly related to your argument.