Philosophy Paper

A Sample Template for Philosophy Essays

Ting-An Lin

2019/10/23

Title of the Paper

[Label the question # of the one you are writing on]

I. Introduction [roughly 0.5 page]

In this paper, I discuss (e.g. the issue with theory/idea X and propose some suggestions to it). Theory/idea X says that __________________________. … However, it faces the challenge/problem Y that __________________________…. I will argue that _(e.g. the challenge Y doesn’t succeed; a better version of X can avoid the problem of Y)…. It is because….. Comment by Ting-an Lin: A brief statement of the issue you are addressing Comment by Ting-an Lin: A clear thesis statement that you are arguing for in this paper

In section II, I will ( e.g. the idea of X and consider one strongest challenge it is facing. ) In section III, I will (argue that …. ). In section IV, I will (e.g. consider some objections to my…). I will then conclude in section V. Comment by Ting-an Lin: A short road map of your paper

II. The idea/theory X and some problems to it [roughly 1.5 to 2 pages] Comment by Ting-an Lin: Remember, you are writing the paper for people without background

The idea/theory X says that…. [explain and motivate the idea by clarifying definitions, giving examples, explaining the issue it tries to address, etc.]…

However, theory X faces the problem that ….. [similarly, explain the problem by clarifying its definitions, giving examples, etc. ]…….

[Explain the debate between them. Maybe clarifying some ideas, consider some examples, points they disagree, etc.]

III. (My view on this debate) [roughly 2 to 3 pages]

I argue that (e.g. a better version of X can avoid the problem of Y) . I will argue this by (e.g. first evaluating the premise of Y). I will then (e.g. use an example to show that my view Z can avoid the problem faced by Y. Comment by Ting-an Lin: Your thesis statement again. Comment by Ting-an Lin: Say how you are going to argue for it

[Giving reasons to argue for your view. Separate different points/reasons in different paragraphs. Explain one point in one paragraph.]

IV. Responding to challenge/objection(s) to my proposal [roughly 1 pages] Comment by Ting-an Lin: Sometimes Section IV can be mingled with Section III. See which way is better to present your view.

I now want to consider one (or some) objection(s) to my proposal. The first objection might go like this. People who adopt challenge Y might think that…. . Therefore, they might argue against my proposal by saying that…. [Make sure you motivate and explain the objection clearly. Consider your opponents as rational ]

However, this objection doesn’t refute my point. [Present arguments for defending your view in response to the objection]

[Maybe consider another objection(s).]

V. Conclusion [just a few sentences; less than 0.5 pages]

In conclusion, I have argued that _(e.g. although theory X originally face the problem of Y, a revised version of X can avoid the problem. While there is an objection W to my view, I have argue that … [Summarize what you have argued in the paper.]