HOW NOT TO WRITE A PHILOSOPHY PAPER
1. A PHILOSOPHY PAPER IS NOT A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT
Philosophy is not the same as History, Journalism, Psychology or
Biology. A philosophy paper should reflect this fact. Hence a
philosophy paper should not just be a report of the facts. It should
evaluate the facts.
2. A PHILOSOPHY PAPER IS NOT A LIST OF PREFERENCES
Philosophy is not an itinerary or a grocery list. Hence it is less
concerned with statements than with arguments. A philosophy, paper
should not just list statements, but defend or argue for (or against)
them. A philosophy paper should, thus focus on arguments or rather the
evaluation of arguments. To evaluate the arguments, it should first
present them.
3. A PHILOSOPHY PAPER IS NOT AN ACCOUNT OF A FIGHT OR INSULT
An argument, in a philosophical sense, is neither a fight nor an
insult, but a group of statements connected in such a way that one,
namely the conclusion, is said to follow from the others called the
premises, evidence or reasons. A philosophy paper would, consequently,
be seriously defective if it consisted mainly in statements, insults or
even criticisms but not evidence or reasons. Note that while an
argument consists of statements, not every statement or even group of
statements is an argument.
4. A PHILOSOPHY PAPER IS NOT A COLLECTION OF FALLACIES
An argument may be good or bad. Hence a good philosophy paper
should consist not just of arguments but good arguments and unmask or
point out bad ones. A bad argument is a fallacious one or one which
commits a fallacy or a serious error in reasoning. Simply stated, the
conclusion of a bad argument does not follow from the evidence or
premises provided. A good or valid argument is such that the conclusion
follows or can be shown to follow from the available evidence.
5. A PHILOSOPHY PAPER IS NOT A MAGIC SHOW
It is the duty of the writer or author of a philosophy paper to show
convincingly that a conclusion follows (or does not). The best or
excellent arguments are sound ones; that is to say the premises or
pieces of evidence used in them are true in addition to the conclusion
following from the premises or evidence. In writing a philosophical
paper one should aim at producing sound arguments.
6. A PHILOSOPHY PAPER IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE BORING
Like any paper, a philosophy paper should try to be interesting and
clear. How else are you going to get points or a grade for it if it is
not clear? Further, if it is to be read, it should be interesting or
else no one, not even the grader or evaluator, would want to read or
finish reading it. It must be read, if it is to receive a grade or
credit; mustn't it? Note that to be credited with the paper you must
have written it i.e. composed or constructed it; not stolen, copied or
downloaded from someone else (from a book, magazine, newspaper, an
article or the internet).
WHAT THEN IS A GOOD PHILOSOPHY PAPER?
It is an interesting evaluation of arguments in an attempt to
produce a sound argument that one, namely the author, can take credit
for and pride in. Here is one easy way of generating such a paper.
Remember that this is not the only way of writing a philosophy paper.
(a) Set yourself a main question to be answered by the end of
the paper and explain the question as well as define the main words or
concepts in the question. (b) Present and evaluate all the arguments on
all sides of the issue(s) raised in the question. (c) Try, honestly, to
answer the question without dogging it or committing any fallacy, and
answer any objection(s) that might be raised against your answer or
position by the opposing or other sides. (d) Write an abstract or
complete summary of your answer as well as (a summary of) all the
arguments presented in your paper.