Philosophy Essay Topics and Questions for Students

Philosophy Essay Topics

Philosophy essay topics can be some of the most challenging and interesting assignments. However, coming up with a topic can be difficult. Every student needs to know how to write a philosophy essay. This article will provide you with some topics and questions that you can use in your next paper. Plus, we’ll give you a few tips on how to get started. So, what are you waiting for? Start writing.

What is Philosophy?

One of the best ways to develop a philosophy essay topic is to define what philosophy is. Writing a philosophy essay, definition, and tips can be tricky because philosophy is broad. In general, philosophy studies the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. It can be broken down into several branches, including metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology (the study of values).

How to Write A Philosophy Essay?

Making your work stronger by utilising transitions within your paper can improve your workflow, producing a stronger overall product.

  • Read over the prompt carefully

Many students make the mistake of starting their essay before reading the prompt for their paper. This often leads to not understanding what the professor wants from them. If you have time, re-read the fast multiple times until you know what they ask.

  • Brainstorm ideas

Once you have a general understanding of what is being asked, try to develop some ideas about what you could say about the subject. This can be done in any way that you prefer; however, some people find it helpful to write things down to keep track of their thoughts and come up with multiple angles from which they could approach their paper.

  • Read the question carefully and make sure you understand it

What is the question asking? What exactly is the question asking you to do? You need to figure out what they want from you. Is it an essay that asks you to compare two opposing philosophies, or does it ask you to give your own opinion on a particular matter? Pay attention to any other instructions provided by your teacher, as well as any time restrictions. In many cases, you’ll be asked to write a philosophy essay within a strict word count (usually 1000 words).

  1. Avoid over-generalizing or using cliches.
  2. Search for any gaps in your knowledge and do some research
  3. Ask yourself what the question is asking and if there is more than one valid answer.
  4. Try to find relevant quotes from philosophers which will support your arguments.

Why Students Should Study Philosophy in College?

There are several reasons why students should study philosophy in college.

  1. It helps students develop a strong foundation in critical thinking and reasoning. This is highly beneficial in any career path they select to pursue.
  2. Studying philosophy provides students with an intellectual challenge, which can be helpful when it comes time for students to take the GMAT or LSAT.
  3. Philosophy also helps students better understand their own beliefs and articulate them. This is a skill that can be carried with them for the rest of their lives.
  4. Philosophy can help students think critically, abstractly, and logically – essential skills for college success.
  5. Philosophy can help students argue logically and write clearly and concisely. By avoiding making assumptions, generalising, and overgeneralising, students,are less likely to make errors in their arguments. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your philosophy essay will be of the highest quality.

Art and philosophy have a unique relationship in that both disciplines explore ideas about human existence. Philosophy studies what is real, the nature of knowledge, and the

59 Philosophy Questions for Students

Philosophy is a discipline that asks questions about the meaning and purpose of life, being, knowledge, values, reason, mind and language. This list will help you get started asking the most important philosophical questions.

  1. Can one prove that God exists?
  2. What is the meaning/definition of truth?
  3. Was there ever a time when nothing existed? If not, what caused this universe to exist or come into being?
  4. Is it possible to know everything about the universe?
  5. Are humans essentially limited in their ability to understand the universe or reality?
  6. What are some examples of subjectivism?
  7. Is philosophy practical to everyday life?
  8. What is the point of studying philosophy?
  9. How does philosophy relate to other subjects?
  10. What is the difference between a philosopher and a theologian?
  11. What is the nature of reality?
  12. What is the nature of knowledge?
  13. What is the meaning of life?
  14. What is the nature of human existence?
  15. Precisely what is the nature of good and evil?
  16. In what way is the difference between right doing and wrongdoing?
  17. How does philosophy relate to environmental studies?
  18. Is the world real?
  19. What is the meaning of life?
  20. Where do we come from?
  21. What is the difference between right and wrong?
  22. Why are people different?
  23. What happens when we die?
  24. Who or what created us?
  25. Are there any limits to what we can know and understand about ourselves, the world and the universe?
  26. Do things exist if nobody is thinking about them or observing them?
  27. Do we have free will, or do outside forces like chance or fate control our lives?
  28. Does God exist? If so, how can He/She/It be perfect and yet allow all the evil in the world to live simultaneously?
  29. What does it mean to say that something is real?
  30. Are abstract objects (like numbers or propositions) natural? Why or why not?
  31. Is there a God? If so, what is God’s nature? If not, why not?
  32. What would be a good definition of knowledge? Is knowledge possible?
  33. Is there an objective truth about morality? If so, what is it? If not, why not?
  34. What makes one life better than another? What makes a human being happy? Which human beings are so glad now, and why do you think they’re so glad?
  35. Are there any moral absolutes or universal moral truths?
  36. Does God control every single thing that happens in the universe, or does he have limited control over some things and no control over others?
  37. Can you account for the existence of evil without appealing to God’s will (either directly or indirectly)? How would you do this?
  38. is it possible to know other minds? (i.e., how do we know that other people have thoughts and emotions like ours?).
  39. Is it possible to be sure of anything?
  40. What is the relationship between mind (or consciousness) and body?
  41. Do human beings have free will?
  42. Is death a bad thing?
  43. How should we live our lives?
  44. Should we tolerate people with different moral beliefs from us?
  45. How do you define evil?
  46. How can we know right from wrong?
  47. What is beauty?
  48. What is love? Is this different from “being in love?
  49. Is there such a thing as objective truth?
  50. What is the nature of reality?
  51. How do you explain your life meaning or purpose?
  52. Can we know anything?
  53. What is the Best Way to Keep a Secret?
  54. What is social contract theory?
  55. What is political realism?
  56. What are the three most important current issues in political philosophy today, and why?
  57. What are two opposing arguments for each way of thinking?
  58. What are the goals of feminism today? Are they different from when they began? Why or why not? How long do you think gender inequality will persist in America (or your country)?
  59. What is the balance of pleasure vs pain, and why should we be optimistic?

20 Philosophy Essay Topics for Students

  1. The nature of morality (can there be objective morality?)
  2. The essence of art (what makes something art?)
  3. The existence of God
  4. Personal identity
  5. Empiricism vs rationalism
  6. Knowledge
  7. Free will
  8. Language
  9. Beauty
  10. Politics
  11. Do we have free will?
  12. What is consciousness?
  13. Is there life after death?
  14. Are humans essentially good or evil by nature?
  15. Is there a God?
  16. Is it wrong to eat meat?
  17. Is abortion ever morally permissible?
  18. Does God exist outside of space and time?
  19. Are there objective moral truths or is morality relative to culture?
  20. Does consciousness depend on the body or is it separate from our physical existence?

Students can use philosophy in their lives to do the following;

  • Develop a strong foundation in reasoning and argument structure.
  • Thoroughly explore any given subject.
  • Develop a better understanding of their own beliefs and how to articulate them.

When to Use a Philosophical Argument in Your Essay

A philosophical argument differs from these other types of arguments in that it generally assumes that it is impossible to prove anything definitively. Instead, it is an expression of one’s hopes and desires rather than an attempt to prove something. The following elements are typical of philosophical arguments;

  • Personal voice

A philosophical argument is typically expressed in a personal voice rather than a detached and objective tone.

  • Explicit value judgment

A philosophical argument usually involves an explicit value judgment that can be agreed to or disagreed with by the reader, even if the exact reasoning behind it may not be evident or provable.

  • Non-obvious conclusion

A philosophical argument does not need to be based on facts or evidence; it just needs to assert how things should be, what values should be pursued; it needs to maintain that such-and-such is good or bad.

  • Choose a practical topic

This may seem obvious, but picking a topic is easier said than done. One way to choose your topic is by looking at current events or news stories that have been in the headlines recently. You can also think about issues that you feel strongly about or about things around you.

  • Start researching

It’s essential to find something that will engage your audience, or they won’t be able to relate to what you’re saying. You’ll need enough information on the subject so that you can write about it in detail without feeling like anything is left out—too much, and your paper will run long.

Tips To Help You Succeed On Your Next Philosophy Essay Assignment

  1. Make sure that you understand the question being asked and that your thesis is clear.
  2. Write in a clear, concise, and organised manner.
  3. Provide evidence to support your claims.
  4. Avoid using personal experience.
  5. Avoid making assumptions and generalisations.
  6. Make sure that your claims are relevant to the question being asked.
  7. Check your grammar and punctuation.

Types Of Philosophies

There are many types of philosophies, but some of the most popular ones include:

1. Logic

Logic is the study of correct reasoning. It is the foundation of all other branches of philosophy, as it makes sure that everything else being studied makes sense and is accurate.

Logic can be considered a branch as it includes many subjects like formal logic, informal logic, symbolic logic, predicate logic and much more.

2. Metaphysics (or Ontology)

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that investigates ideas about existence, identity and change. This branch often describes how we see the world, how things make sense to us, and why we think about the world around us. It’s a vast subject because everything has to do with our perception of reality.

3. Ethics

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that involves systematising, defending and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct. It’s closely connected to metaphysics because it tries to figure out what we should believe in living happy lives in this world and after we die. It also studies what kinds of actions are good or bad for people in general and explores questions like “What makes a person good?” or “Is lying ever justifiable?”.

4. Epistemology

Epistemology is the study of knowledge and its justification. It is also known as the theory of knowledge or theory of knowledge. Epistemology studies the nature of knowledge and relates to similar notions such as truth, belief, and justification. Epistemologists seek to understand what distinguishes justified beliefs from unjustified ones through analysing the concepts of knowledge, justification, evidence, and reason.

5. Aesthetic

Aesthetics is concerned with the appreciation of beauty and sublimity. It encompasses many related fields such as music, visual art, literature, performing arts, film, architecture and design. These fields cover different aspects of art, but they are also often considered separate genres that can be difficult to combine. Aesthetics is a subcategory that deals with a more specific definition of beauty; however, it can still be hard to define because each person perceives what is aesthetically pleasing. For this reason, many philosophers try to explain what aesthetically pleasing is. Still, it can be challenging due to our varying opinions on what something means.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a student or not, writing philosophy essays can be an enlightening and enjoyable experience. Philosophy is an integral part of life. It can be used to answer any questions that have existed for centuries, and it has the power to change lives in a way few other subjects do. Whether you are just starting your philosophy studies or if this subject was always something you were interested in, these essay topics and questions should help sharpen your thinking and give you some direction as to where to start with your philosophical inquiries. We hope we’ve been able to provide some insight into how philosophy works.