term paper sample in philosophy

Information on Writing Philosophy Papers

Please familiarize yourself with the university’s academic honest policies if you have not already done so. They are available here: http://www.rochester.edu/college/honesty/docs/Academic_Honesty.pdf . Note in particular that it is a violation of these policies to use material from any source (other than yourself) in your papers without attribution and, where relevant, use of quotation marks. This applies especially to copying and pasting material from websites, which should always be avoided. You may, of course, make limited use of academically respectable web resources where relevant, as long as they are properly cited (I'm not picky about the exact format of your citations, as long as they contain the relevant information) and any quoted material is clearly placed in quotation marks (though this should still be a very limited portion of your paper). However, you should never make any use at all of student 'essay mills'--websites that offer students canned student essays for 'research' purposes: these essays are not research and do not meet the standards for scholarly sources; they have no place in the writing of your papers.

General Guidelines for Writing Philosophy Papers

• Clarity and straightforwardness of thought and language are crucial: avoid flowery styles and long, superfluous introductions and conclusions. (No paper should ever start with a sentence like: "Since the dawn of time, mankind has pondered the question of...") The bulk of your paper should consist of philosophical exposition and analysis, in plain but precise language.
• If you are writing an essay in response to an assigned essay topic, the most important thing is simply to make sure you answer the question that was asked , carefully and thoroughly. Avoid getting off on tangents that are not crucial to your topic, and avoid sweeping generalizations you can't support in the paper . In addition to the quality of exposition, one of the central things we look for in a philosophy paper is how well the thesis in question is supported. Even if the reader thinks some of your claims are false, your paper can be excellent if you do a solid job of defending your claims.
• If you are asked to explain something, do not merely summarize what an author or lecturer has said. Explain and illuminate the relevant ideas or arguments in your own words, as if you were trying to help a fellow student gain a deeper understanding of them.
• Avoid excessive quotation! Stringing together quotes is not explaining a position or an argument, and does not display your understanding of the material. Even paraphrasing in your own words is not enough. Again, explanation involves clarifying the claims, bringing out hidden assumptions behind arguments, noticing ambiguities as they arise and nailing them down, and so on.
• In addition to careful explanation of positions or arguments, some paper topics ask for critical evaluation of those positions and arguments. An example of critical evaluation of an argument would be my lecture criticizing Thomson's argument for the conclusion that abortions wouldn't violate a fetus' right to life even if it were granted to have a full right to life. (I developed and used a distinction between positive and negative rights, and argued that the central parallel she appeals to in her argument fails to go through, since it involves a conflation of positive and negative rights.) Some paper topics ask you to do the same sort of thing, and if you're writing on such a topic, be sure that this component of your paper is strong and well developed.
• Proofreading of papers is a necessity. So is decent grammar: incoherent grammar makes the effective communication of ideas impossible.
• As for which topic you choose: You should choose something you're most interested in and have the most to say about. Beware of any topic that seems too easy: If it seems simple--like something you can dash off in a few paragraphs--then that's a good sign that you're not thinking deeply enough about it, and you should probably write on another topic. So choose your topic carefully.
• This is important : If you use someone else's words, you have to use quotation marks and cite the source in a footnote. If you don't, it's plagiarism, which constitutes cheating and is a violation of the honor code. See note at top.

Sample Short Paper and Commentary

For Illustrative purposes only

Sample Essay Question : Is Socrates' position in the Crito , concerning the moral authority of the state, consistent with his view that one should never do anything that is wrong? Is it consistent with what he says, in the Apology , about what he would do if commanded by the state to cease practicing philosophy, or about what he did when commanded by the Thirty to capture Leon of Salamis for execution? Explain.

(Note: page references are to a different edition than the one you have ; paragraphs should be indented, but are not here due to limitations of html formatting; I have not here included footnotes for the same reason; and your papers should be double-spaced, rather than single-spaced.)

Socrates on the Moral Authority of the State

In the Crito , Socrates makes some surprisingly strong claims about the moral authority of the state, which might even seem to be inconsistent both with another fundamental claim he makes in the Crito and with certain claims he makes in the Apology . I shall argue that although these claims seem to be in some tension with each other, the crucial claims about the authority of the state in the Crito can plausibly be interpreted in such a way as to remove any real inconsistency with the other claims.

The first, rather striking claim about the moral authority of the state occurs at 51b of the Crito . Socrates argues that, because of the state's role as a provider of security, education, and various important social institutions (such as marriage), the citizens of the state are its "offspring and servants"; and from this he concludes that citizens are subordinate to the state and its laws to such an extent that if a citizen ever disagrees with the state's laws or orders, he "must either persuade it or obey its orders," even if the latter amounts to suffering death. The implication for his own case is clear: Socrates had tried to persuade the court of his innocence and of the injustice of his execution (as detailed in the Apology ), but he had failed; therefore, he argues, he must now obey the court and accept his death sentence--even though he still thinks that he is in the right on this matter.

The second, closely related claim, comes only a few paragraphs later, in 51e and 52. Socrates there argues that by virtue of remaining in the state, a citizen enters into an implied contract with it to obey its commands. More precisely, the claim is again that a citizen who has a disagreement with the state must either persuade it that it is wrong, or else obey it. In the voice of the personified laws: "either persuade us or do what we say" (52a). The implication, again, is that if one fails to persuade the state to change its mind, for whatever reason, then one must obey its orders. A citizen has no moral right to continue to resist the state, even if he is convinced that he is in the right and the state is in the wrong.

Now as mentioned above, these claims seem directly opposed to certain other claims Socrates makes. Most importantly, earlier in the Crito itself, Socrates had stressed that "one must never do wrong" (49b). Indeed, this serves as the driving principle behind the rest of his argument in the Crito . But is this really consistent with maintaining that one must always obey the state, if one fails to persuade it that something it orders is wrong? The obvious objection is that the state might well order one to do something wrong--e.g. because one of its laws is an unjust one, as Jim Crow laws were. In that case, Socrates' claim that one should never do anything wrong would entail refusing to do what the state orders-- even if one is unsuccessful in persuading the state that it is wrong. Thus, Socrates' claim that one should never do wrong seems inconsistent with his claim that one must always obey the final orders of the state. 

Secondly, it might be objected that Socrates' view of the moral authority of the state is inconsistent both with what he did when ordered by the Thirty to capture Leon of Salamis for execution, and with what he says he'd do if ordered by the state to cease practicing philosophy (both from the Apology ). When the Thirty ordered him to capture Leon, he refused, on the grounds that this would have been wrong (unjust and impious). ( Apology , 32c-d) This seems to be a recognition that one is morally obligated or at least permitted to disobey the state when what it commands is wrong--even if one fails to persuade it of its wrongness. And similarly, Socrates makes clear that he would disobey the state and continue philosophizing if it were to order him to stop--again, on the grounds that it would be wrong for him to stop philosophizing (recall that he saw philosophy as his life's mission, given him by the god). ( Apology , 29c-d) Again, this seems to contradict what he says in the Crito about the supreme moral authority of the state and its laws and orders.

I believe, however, that it is possible to read the crucial passages about the authority of the state in the Crito in such a way as to render them consistent with Socrates' exhortation never to do wrong, and with his remarks about disobedience in the Apology . To see this, it is necessary to distinguish first of all between two issues: (a) what the law might require you to do , and (b) what the law might require you to endure . With this distinction in mind, consider the following possible interpretations of Socrates' claim about the moral authority of the state in the Crito :

( i ) Citizens must obey any law or order of the state, whatever it asks them to do or to endure ;

(ii) Citizens must endure whatever any law or order of the state says they must--including the law that verdicts arrived at through proper procedures shall be carried out--but citizens need not and morally should not do what is prescribed by an unjust law.

Now which of these positions is it most plausible to attribute to Socrates in the Crito ?

There are passages that might seem to suggest i (e.g. 51e, 52a), but again, the obvious problem is that it seems inconsistent with his fundamental principle that one should never do wrong (49a)--at least on the assumption, which Socrates clearly accepts in the Apology , that the state is not infallible as regards judgments of right and wrong. Thus, a more charitable reading would interpret the passages about the moral authority of the state as referring implicitly to cases where the state does not require one to do anything unjust, but merely to endure something (or perhaps to do something that is not itself unjust, such as rendering some political service).

If the passages are read in this way, we can interpret Socrates' claim as ii above. When he says that one must obey the state's final laws and orders, what he means is that one must do anything it tells one to do within the bounds of justice , and that one must endure anything it tells one to endure. Thus, Socrates was not obligated to capture Leon of Salamis, and would not be obligated to cease philosophizing if ordered to, since that would be doing something wrong (i.e. something that is not within the bounds of justice); but he is obligated to accept and endure his punishment, as long as it was arrived at through proper judicial procedures. The latter is true, according to Socrates, even though the punishment is wrong; for by suffering it, he is not himself doing anything wrong, but only enduring something wrong. This is perfectly consistent with Socrates' exhortation never to do anything wrong.

Thus, what at first appears to be a blatant contradiction among Socrates' various claims is fairly easily remedied if we interpret the relevant passages in the Crito as making the claim in ii rather than the claim in i above. This interpretation is supported not only by the fact that it helps to reconcile Socrates' seemingly contradictory claims, but also by the fact that Socrates' examples of obedience to the state over one's own objections all involve having to endure something, rather than having to do something. He speaks in Crito 51b, for example, of having to "endure in silence whatever it instructs you to endure, whether blows or bonds, and if it leads you into war to be wounded or killed, you must obey." Though he does not explicitly formulate his claim as in ii above, his focus is clearly on the issue of having to endure something prescribed by the state, over one's own objections. Therefore, it is consistent with the text to interpret him as making only the claim in ii, which is fully compatible with his claim that one must never do wrong, and with his claim that under certain conditions one should refuse to do something the state orders (such as refusing to capture someone for an unjust execution, or refusing to cease carrying out your divine mission as long as you live).

As for the plausibility of Socrates' view, I believe that it is still overly demanding, even when qualified as in ii above. It's unclear why any of the factors Socrates mentioned should give the state such overriding moral authority that one should be morally obliged to endure execution without resistance even in cases where the state is genuinely in the wrong. It seems more plausible to hold that if one stands to be unjustly executed, one can rightly resist this punishment ( even if it would equally be permissible not to resist). One could do this, I think, without showing any contempt for the laws, or challenging their authority, since one still grants the state's authority to do its best to carry out the punishment, and simply asserts a moral right to do one's best in turn to avoid such wrongful punishment. But that's a topic for another paper.

COMMENTARY :

Note, first of all, the concise, crisp introduction. The problem is plainly stated, and then I explain clearly what I'm going to do in the paper--all in just a few sentences. There's no rambling introduction with sentences starting with "Since the beginning of time, mankind has pondered the mysteries of etc."

The style is straightforward, striving for clarity rather than literary flair. Jargon is avoided as far as possible.

After the introduction, the problem is stated in more depth and detail, with textual references. Notice the spare use of quotes. I quote only a few words here and there, where necessary to illustrate the points. This might be extended to a few sentences, if necessary, but beware of over-quoting and letting someone else's words do your work for you. (The worst mistake is just stringing together quotes, which accomplishes nothing.) Notice also that textual references are given for the quotes, as well as for paraphrased passages. (Normally, I'd use footnotes and have complete citations, but I'm limited by html format here.)

Notice how, in describing the problem, I try to elucidate it, rather than just summarizing it. Summary is not explanation . Instead, I try to make clear where exactly the tensions among the various claims seem to arise and why, and how they apply to Socrates' own case. I've tried to go well beyond the superficial statement of the problem in the essay question, to illuminate and develop it.

Now having done that, one might just stop and claim to have answered the question: "No, the various positions are not consistent, and Socrates is just contradicting himself." But that would be a very superficial paper. Instead, I tried to dig beneath the surface a little bit, and to notice that the central claim can be interpreted in more than one way. So I first of all made a distinction between two possible interpretations, which in turn depended on a distinction between what you might be commanded to do and what you might be commanded to endure . That distinction enabled me to argue for an interpretation of what Socrates is claiming about the moral authority of the state that renders this claim consistent with his other claims. (Noticing and exploiting distinctions is a large part of what doing philosophy is all about.)

Whether or not you agree with that particular argument, you can see the difference between bringing the discussion to that level of detail and merely staying on the surface. So even if you would have taken a different position, the point is that a good paper would still be engaging with the issues at that level of depth, rather than remaining on the surface. If you think Socrates really is contradicting himself, for example, you might then also discuss the distinctions I pointed out, but then argue for an interpretation along the lines of the first interpretation instead, despite the inconsistencies with other things he says. (Of course, you'd have to be able to give an argument for why the text should be understood in that way, despite the fact that Socrates winds up with rather glaringly conflicting claims on that reading.)

Again, notice that I am striving for clarity , precision and thoroughness , along with a straightforward organization for the paper.

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Philosophy research and writing: sample papers.

• Reference Texts
• Sample Papers
• Writing Guides

Examples of Philosophical Writing

One of the most difficult things about writing philosophy papers as a new undergraduate is figuring out what a philosophy paper is supposed to look like! For many students here at Cal, a lower division philosophy class is the first experience they have with philosophical writing so when asked to write a paper it can be difficult to figure out exactly what a good paper would be. Below are a few examples of the kinds of papers you might be asked to write in a philosophy class here at Cal as well as the papers written by professional philosophers to which the sample papers are a response.

Precis Sample Paper

• "War and Peace in Islam" by Bassam Tibi In this paper, Bassam Tibi explores the Islamic position on war and peace as understood through the Quran and its interpretations in Islamic history.
• Max Deleon's Precis of Tibi on war and peace in Islam In this sample paper, Max Deleon, a former tutor at the university of Vermont gives a summary of an argument made by Bassam Tibi in his paper "War and Peace in Islam"

Critical Response to a Philosopher's Position

• "In Defense of Mereological Universalism" by Michael C. Rea In this paper, Michael Rea defends the position in ontology known as mereological universalism which he defines as that position which holds that "for any set S of disjoint objects, there is an object that the members of S compose."
• Max Deleon's critical response to Michael Rea on Mereological Universalism In lower division philosophy courses here at Cal, the most common type of paper that you will write will be one in which you are asked to respond to some given philosopher's position by uncovering some difficulty in that position. In this paper, Max Deleon critically examines Michael Rae's paper "In Defense of Mereological Universalism"

Exposition and Amending of Existing Philosopher's Position

• "Against Moral Rationalism, Philippa Foot" in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy The section "Against moral Rationalism" in the article "Philippa Foot" from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy explores Foot's positions on moral motivation which Max Deleon deals with in the paper below.
• Max Deleon's exposition and emendation of "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives" In this paper Max Deleon looks at Philippa Foot's argument from "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives," raises a few possible objections, and proposes emendations to Foot's position to respond to those objections.
• "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives" by Philippa Foot One of the most influential paper in 20th century philosophy, Philippa Foot's "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Impreatives" tackles to dominant Kantian conception of the nature of morality and offers an alternative understanding of the nature of morality.
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• URL: https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/philosophy_writing

The Writing Place

Resources – how to write a philosophy paper, introduction to the topic.

The most common introductory level philosophy papers involve making an original argument (“Do you believe that free will exists?”) or thinking critically about another philosopher’s argument (“Do you agree with Hobbes’ argument about free will?”). This short checklist will help you construct a paper for these two types of assignments.

The Basics of a Philosophy Paper

1. introduction and thesis.

There is not a need for a grand or lofty introduction in a philosophy paper. Introductory paragraphs should be short and concise. In the thesis, state what you will be arguing and how you will make your argument.

2. Define Terms

It is important to define words that you use in your argument that may be unclear to your reader. While it may seem like words like “morality” and “free will” have an obvious definition, you need to make clear to your audience what those words mean in the context of your paper. A generally useful rule is to pretend that your reader does not know anything about your course or the subject of philosophy and define any words or concepts that such a reader may find ambiguous.

In a philosophy paper, you need to give reasons to support the argument you made in your thesis. This should constitute the largest portion of your paper. It is also important here to name preexisting conditions (premises) that must exist in order for the argument to be true. You can use real-world examples and the ideas of other philosophers to generate reasons why your argument is true. Remember to use simple and clear language and treat your readers as if they are not experts in philosophy.

4. Objections and Responses to Objections

Unlike other types of persuasive essays, in a many philosophy papers you should anticipate criticisms of your argument and respond to those criticisms. If you can refute objections to your argument, your paper will be stronger. While you do not have to address every potential counterargument, you should try to cover the most salient problems.

5. Conclusion

Like the introduction, you should be simple and concise. In the final paragraph you should review and summarize what your paper has established. The conclusion should tell readers why your argument is relevant. It answers the question, “Why do I care?”

General Tips

• Do not overstate or over generalize your ideas.
• Do not try to argue for both sides of an issue. Be clear about where you stand or your reader will be confused.
• Be specific. Do not try to tackle a huge issue, but rather, aim to discuss something small that can be done justice in just a few pages.
• Be wary of using religious or legal grounds for your argument.

A Quick Practice Exercise...

Practice: what is wrong with this paragraph.

This paragraph contains 5 major errors that you should try to avoid in a philosophy paper. Can you find them all?

“In his argument from design, Paley uses the example of a watch that he finds upon a road that has dozens of pieces that work together to make the clock function.  He asserts that this watch is too perfect of a creation not to have a creator and that it would be obvious to conclude that the timepiece must have a maker. Similarly, the Bible proves that God must exist because he made the world beautiful in seven days.  Paley notes, “There cannot be design without a designer; contrivance, without a contriver; order, without choice; arrangement without anything capable of arranging” (Paley 49). This reasoning is strong because it is apparent that beings found in nature have a complex design.  For example, the iris, retina, lens and ocular muscles of the eye all work together to produce sight in the human eye and without any one of these mechanisms, one would be blind.  For all of these tiny pieces that are required for a functioning eye to have randomly come together seems impossible. Therefore, it is logical that there had to be a designer who created a world in which DNA replicates and dozens of small parts create a functioning human or animal.  By simply viewing the natural world, it is highly plausible to see that Paley’s theory is correct.”

1.  “Similarly, the Bible proves that God must exist because he had the power to make the flood happen in Noah’s Ark.”  Arguments based off religious texts, such as the Bible, are generally frowned upon and only weaken an essay.

2. The writer does not define what he means by “God.” Is God a benevolent overseer of the earth? Or is God a vengeful figure? Although it may seem as though everyone knows who God is, in reality, people have different perspective and the writer needs to define God’s character for the reader.

3.  “For all of these tiny pieces that are required for a functioning eye to have randomly come together seems impossible.”  The phrase “ seems impossible ” is weak and unclear. In a philosophy paper, you should take a strong stance and avoid words that weaken your argument like “probably” or “seem.” Additionally, the phrase “ highly plausible ” appears at the end of the paragraph, which is also a phrase that weakens the argument.

4. The writer gives not premises for Paley’s argument to be true. A stronger paper would name the preexisting conditions that must exist in order for the argument to stand.

5. The “real world” example of the human eye is not the best. The writer neglects strong counterarguments such as evolution and the existence of blindness in humans. A good philosophy paper would be more careful when considering real world examples.

Developed by Ann Bruton

Adapted from:

Harvard University’s Short Guide to Philosophical Writing

Kenneth Seeskin’s “How to Write a Philosophy Paper,” Northwestern University

Click here to return to the “Writing Place Resources” main page.

Jim Pryor: Sample Philosophy Papers

These pages have resources discussing how your philosophy papers will be graded, and some samples of student writing with our analysis and feedback on them. In many classes we’ll also have group discussion of some of the writing samples, to solicit your ideas on what problems the papers might have, and how they could be improved.

What We Look For and How We’ll Grade

Here are some general guidelines on how I understand different grades for written work.

My “Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper” have a section on how you’ll be graded . With more detail and specificity: when I grade your papers I will use this grading rubric .

Sample Papers

These three sample papers all aimed to answer the following prompt:

Do creatures like cats and dogs have minds? Or are we just projecting our own reactions onto them, the way we do with baby dolls and stuffed animals? If you think they do have minds, explain what you think the evidence for this is. If you think they don’t have minds, explain what your reasons are for thinking that. If you think they have “minds” in some senses but not others, explain what are the different senses you’re thinking of.

I asked for short response papers, only 1-2 pages long.

The first paper is a made-up paper written by David Barnett when he was a teaching assistant in a class we ran. He intended the paper to be “flawed” in ways that reflected problems he was seeing in many student papers.

Read that paper and come to class ready to discuss what problems you think it has, and how it could be improved.

David numbered the paragraphs in the flawed paper, to make it easier to refer to it. He also wrote up detailed comments on this paper, and an “improved” revision of the paper. The two versions are similar in terms of the conclusion they arrive at, and the arguments they give for them. But the improved paper is written in a clearer way. After our class discussion, I will post David’s comments and improvements. -->

Original Paper | Comments | Revisions with Explanations | Just the Revised Paper

The second and third papers are real student papers submitted for this assignment in past years. I don’t know whether they’re the results of one hours’ work or of five. But they’re fair first efforts. However, like all philosophical writing, including yours and including my own, they can be improved. We’ll talk through some ways to make them better.

Read the original versions of these papers first. Think about what’s going on in them, and how they might be improved. Then you can click the “Analysis” link to see my large-scale, general feedback on the paper. The kind of feedback you get on your papers will look like that, as well as an indication of how you did on the different components of the grading rubric .

For the third paper, you can also click the link to see a discussion of small-scale details of the writing, and how they can be improved. It can be useful to walk through this and try to learn how to improve your own writing in the same way. However, it’s more important first to address the large-scale problems identified in the Analysis links. It does help your readers a lot if the details of your writing are as polished and clear as they can be. But you have to already have good and well-structured things to say, before that’s worth your attention.

Original Paper | Analysis/General Feedback

Original Paper | Analysis/General Feedback | Improving Small-Scale Details of this paper’s writing

357 Philosophical Topics to Write About for Essays & Term Papers

• 🔝 Top-10 Philosophy Topics
• ⛪ Philosophy of Religion
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• 😊 Easy Philosophy Topics
• 😀 Fun Philosophy Topics

✅ Philosophy Argumentative Essay Topics

📝 philosophy term paper topics, ✒️ philosophical topics to write about, ❓ philosophy essay questions.

• ✍️ Bonus: 17 Writing Tips

There is a joke that in successful relationships, one becomes happy, and in unsuccessful, one becomes a philosopher. Unfortunately, that could be true only if the person read philosophical books on philosophy or developed their philosophical research theories in the latter case.

Philosophy is a Greek word meaning “love for wisdom.” It analyzes how we perceive the outside and inner world using logic and reason. This discipline teaches us close reading, clear writing, critical thinking, and logical analysis. These methods try to formulate the appropriate language to describe reality and our place in it.

🔝 Top-10 Philosophy Essay Topics

• How does death shape the meaning of life?
• Do our senses reflect the accurate picture of the world?
• Why do we consider some actions to be morally incorrect?
• Is there a correct way to live a life?
• What makes humans different from other mammals?
• If art is subjective, how can we tell whether a given artist is talented or not?
• Knowledge can hurt. Why do we strive for it?
• Idealism: A way to perfection or fantasy?
• Does love have a meaning beyond itself?
• Should happiness be the ultimate purpose in life?

⛪ Philosophy of Religion Topics

• Do religious beliefs contradict scientific thinking?
• Does religion improve or degrade humanity?
• Religion and Politics in Durkheim’s Theories .
• The belief system of each person limits their faith.
• How do different faiths envision the ultimate reality?
• Islam and Its Influence on the World Society.
• Can God’s existence be justified on rational grounds?
• If God exists, does it mean that only one religion is genuine?
• Same-sex Marriage as a Religious Issue .
• Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnibenevolent: Is that true?
• What is the source of any religious belief?
• Descartes’ proof of the existence of God.
• Philosophy and religion: theory and practice.
• Differences between religion and philosophy of religion.
• Does philosophy admit that god exists?
• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• Harmonization of god’s purposes with human goods in Kant’s philosophy.
• Reason and religious belief. An introduction to The Philosophy of Religion’ by M. Peterson.
• Religious Studies and Theology.
• Aristotle’s god: the universal source of change in the universe.
• Human rights from the perspective of Islam .
• Christian Religious Fundamentalism and Family Role Identities .
• Do you think the five philosophical proofs of god’s existence are trustworthy?
• Evangelical theology: Jesus Christ.
• Does Hegel’s doctrine of god match Christian theology ?
• Religion and public life in “American Grace” by Putnam.
• Pragmatic views in “The Will to Believe” by William James.
• God in Descartes and Nietzsche.
• Which model of faith do you prefer?
• Sociology of religion: purpose and concept.
• Describe the constant conflict of creationism.
• Relation between god, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
• Can religious experiences confirm the existence of ultimate reality?
• Islamic civilization: religious practices.
• How could one distinguish the genuine experience of god from the ungenuine?
• What is the highest good in Buddhism ?
• Descartes and God’s existence.
• Is morality possible without religion?
• Buddhism: teachings of Buddha.
• Can there be free will if god is omniscient?
• Afterlife in different world cultures.
• Miracle: A transgression of the natural law or a transgression of our understanding of it?
• Which side of the mind-body debate would you take?
• Religious beliefs and political decisions.
• Establish the relationship between a person’s belief in the afterlife and their theistic position.
• Karma, dharma, and samsara in Indian religions.
• How to make sense of religious diversity?
• Conceptions of Christ.
• Can the language of god be understood from the human position?
• Judaism concepts.
• The nature of miracles in the philosophy of religion.
• Moses in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
• The difference in the conceptions of god in monotheist and pantheist religions.
• World religions studies and key concepts.
• Does the doctrine of the trinity relate Christianism to pantheism?
• What is the logical problem of evil?

🗳️ Topics in Political Philosophy

• Why is the term “political” a problem in philosophy?
• The Research of Morality in Politics.
• Why is climate change an issue for political philosophy?
• Political Science, Philosophy & Social Criticism.
• Is it possible to establish global justice?
• What does it take to be a free citizen?
• Political Ideologies From the Philosophic Point of View.
• Does a fair way to distribute wealth exist?
• Does a nation owe anything to another country?
• Utopia: ideal state basic principles.
• What are the limits of the legal obligations of a citizen?
• The destructive nature of capitalism.
• Civil liberties in the supreme court.
• Nationalism vs. Cosmopolitanism: A comparative study.
• Political justice: Muslims discrimination.
• The equality in opportunity for racial justice.
• Marxism and realism in international relationships.
• What are an individual’s rights against the state?
• Karl Marx’s ideas: society alienation and conflict theory.
• Alternative theories in international relations.
• Is democracy another unattainable ideal?
• International relations theories: realism & green politics.
• To which degree should the state force its people to do something for their own good?
• Democracy: pluralist theory and elite theory.
• Realist versus liberal international relations theory.
• Democracy vs. Epistocracy: which one do you support and why?
• Realism and idealism in modern international relations.
• Does the government have the moral right to ban unhealthy behavior?
• Liberal international relations theories and global security.
• Explain the importance of political philosophy in the education of future citizens.
• Italian fascism and German nazism contrast analysis.
• What could Aristotle tell us about the world of globalization: A critical study of ancient philosophy.
• Political realism is the theory of international relations.
• Why are there no permanent answers in political philosophy?
• The role of the state: ideologies and policies.
• What are the principal goals of a decent society?
• Marxism philosophy, a constitutional republic, and American criminal justice.
• Why should a person obey the law?
• The Idea of Republican Theory
• What is the basis of human dignity: freedom, virtue, friendship, and love?
• Neoliberalism: history and modern perception.
• What are the meeting points between the philosophy of religion and political philosophy?
• “The german ideology” by Karl Marx and materialism.
• Is there a single best political regime?
• Karl Marx’s theory of exploitation: a critical analysis.
• Can humanity exist without wars?
• Tocqueville and the idea of America moving toward communism.
• The mechanism of redirecting conflict to the common good in politics.
• The essential concepts and principles of democracy.
• Is international politics a sum of the regimes of the member countries?
• Concept and the significance of soft power.
• What is the standard character type of a democratic society
• Democratic society and the capitalist system.
• What is the most praiseworthy thing for a community?
• “Civil disobedience” essay by Henry David Thoreau.
• Do you believe that humanity will find something better than democracy in the future?
• Bureaucracy and its role in society.
• Are people capable of establishing a government based on reflection and choice?
• Federalism: challenges and debates.
• What are the qualities of successful and wise statesmanship?
• Neoliberalism and human suffering.

⚖️ Philosophy of Law Topics

• Should we obey the law because of fear of punishment or because it is good?
• Capital Punishment: The Philosophical Perspective.
• Why cannot humanity adopt single legislation for all countries?
• Individual and Social Theories in Explaining a Crime .
• The difference between consequential and categorical moral reasoning of crimes.
• The theory of rational choice in criminology.
• Are the institutions of punishment morally justifiable?
• Stanford Prison Experiment and Its Consequences.
• Wrongful conviction in the criminal court system.
• A Utilitarian Approach to Capital Punishment.
• What distinguishes law from ethical norms?
• Crime theories and countermeasures.
• How did the principal legal issues transform through the ages?
• Assisted suicide: euthanasia and self-determination.
• Do the changes in morality entail changes in the legal systems?
• The common law background of the Fourth Amendment.
• Is morality objective or subjective?
• Is healthcare a civil or human right?
• Can the empowerment of a certain population group limit the opportunities for another?
• Rights protected by the Second Amendment.
• Where is the line between the right to free speech and discrimination?
• Poverty or low income as a cause of crime.
• Can we say that law has conventional nature?
• Constitution and system of separation of powers.
• A legal system requires a sanction for non-compliance.
• Rights and freedoms in the US.
• Legal realism: the law is the product of court decisions.
• The financial cost of crime to society.
• The law of human interpretation in law.
• Is the Bill of Rights necessary or not?
• Deontology : preserving the autonomy of other people.
• Importance of drug legalization in the USA.
• The abortion debate – understanding the issues.
• Life in prison and death penalty comparison.
• Capital punishment and the concept of redemption.
• Death penalty for and against.

👼 Philosophy & Ethics Topics

• Moral right and wrong vs. moral good and evil: A personal experience.
• Capital Punishment and Its Ethics.
• Any society has its specific moral outlook.
• Positive Psychology and Philosophical Concepts.
• Ethics and morality: Interchangeable terms?
• Ethical Decision-Making & Counseling on Abortion.
• Will humanity ever find a correct way to live?
• Philosophical Ethical Theories: Kantianism and Utilitarianism .
• Should secondary education comprise ethics?
• What is the current theory of ethics prevailing in philosophy?
• Death Penalty: Crime and Morality.
• Ethics in Descartes and Nietzsche.
• Does the level of schooling define a person’s morality?
• “The Allegory of the Cave” – The philosophy of Plato and Socrates.
• Is there a moral justification for the class system?
• Is there anything morally wrong with abortions?
• Moral Philosophy and Peter Singer.
• Lawyers and ethics: the attorney-client privilege.
• Mass surveillance as an anti-crime measure: An ethical perspective.
• Equal consideration of interests to non-human animals.
• Is honesty a must for a moral person?
• Police ethics and misconduct.
• Wealth: A prerequisite for charitable actions?
• Do we have a moral responsibility over developing countries?
• The ethics of cloning: morality and issues.
• The ethical side of human cloning.
• Should governments consider the ethical aspects of new laws?
• Morality, ethics, and ethical integrity.
• The ethics of discrimination: is there any?
• Censorship: should we ban morally harmful content?
• Lifestyles in Don Giovanni and Dangerous Liaisons.
• Are criminals evil by nature?
• Animal experiments: benefits, ethics, and defenders.
• Do you support or discard utilitarianism ?
• Do you think there is such a thing as a moral fact?
• Animal research, its ineffectiveness, and amorality.
• Can ethical rules limit free will?
• Ethical life issues in works by Cicero and C.S. Lewis.
• Write a dissertation on the drivers of human behavior.
• The problem of moral superiority.
• Socrates and Thrasymachus’ views on justice in Plato’s Republic.
• Do we have the right to restrict the immigrant inflow?
• Does every action presuppose an intent?
• Plato and Kant’s understanding of justice.
• Does the current state of morality make us civilized?
• Case study on models of making ethical decisions.
• Is a good death possible?
• Al-Ghazali philosophy.
• Deontological ethics vs. value ethics: Research project.
• Does there exist a bad motivation for procreation?
• Euthyphro’s definition of “Holiness” or “Piety.”
• Ethics in the institutions of global governance.
• Nihilism in Nietzsche’s, Kierkegaard’s, and Heidegger’s views.

🔬 Philosophy of Science Essay Topics

• The future of technology : The responsibility of philosophers?
• Human Being in the Modern Science.
• Time travel: Should we learn to do that?
• Thinking and Intelligence in Psychological Science.
• Is artificial intelligence our only hope for unparalleled technological development?
• Explain the distinction between science and non-science.
• Einstein and his Contribution to Science .
• What are the ultimate aims of science?
• Is there a universal way to interpret scientific findings?
• St. Thomas Aquinas’ cosmological argument analysis.
• A scientific theory and antirealism: Useful but not trustworthy.
• Is the philosophy of science useful for scientists?
• Debates of Using Animals in Scientific Analysis .
• Theory vs. empirical data: What comes first?
• Hobbes and Locke in the state of nature.
• What is a measurement in science?
• The Vienna Circle of Positivism: A historical outlook.
• Legal Positivism and Natural Theory .
• How and why did the science of ecology emerge?
• Popper’s philosophy of science and falsification.
• Describe the difference between a semantic view and a model-based approach.
• Which research problems compose the evolutionary theory ?
• Philosophical views and cultural influences.
• What does it take to obtain authoritative knowledge ?
• Analyze the social nature of any scientific knowledge.
• Clifford’s and James’ knowledge theories.
• Does gender define trust in science?
• What does it mean to be an objective scientist?
• Feminist Approaches to Gender and Science Issues.
• Mind plus computer: Homunculus theory.
• Compare Aristotle’s and Plato’s approaches to knowledge.

😊 Easy Philosophy Paper Topics

• Do you believe in the extra-sensory powers of some people?
• In which ways does God speak to people?
• Death as the Final Destination.
• Describe the future of humanity in 200 years.
• Aristotle and relationships at work.
• The way we treat nature is worse than ever before.
• Describe the ideal society.
• The Role of the Belief System in Projecting the Future.
• Analyze the most famous words of your favorite philosopher.
• Dreams: A parallel world or our fears and wishes?
• A fallacy: term definition and examples.
• Heaven and hell are our visions of good and evil.
• What is the nature of intuition?
• Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill’s Moral Theories .
• Why do people lie?
• Mind-body relationship.
• Onlooker’s responsibility: When should you not interfere?
• When do children become adults?
• Skepticism Theory of Knowledge .
• Each death is a tiny end of the world.
• People and the meaning of life.
• Can international relations be moral?
• Happiness or success: What is our purpose?
• The Concept of Justice According to Socrates and Augustine .
• Are human virtues so good for everyone?
• Plato’s allegory of the cave.
• What would happen if animals spoke?
• Luck is a form of optimism.
• The relationship between money and happiness.
• Where does responsibility come from?
• Virtue and Human Good by Aristotle and Socrates .
• Tolerance: A gateway to discrimination?

😀 Fun Philosophy Paper Topics

• Why are clowns scary and fun at the same time?
• How do our names define our personalities?
• Why Do We Make Bad Decisions?
• Light meal vs. large snack: How do we form our eating habits?
• How do you know you are not sleeping now?
• Why Do People Behave the Way They Do?
• Why don’t passengers get a parachute on a plane?
• How do you think your pet calls you?
• What Justifies My Existence?
• What makes you “elderly?”
• Why Do Adolescents Engage in Risk-Taking Behaviors?
• Embalming the dead: The pointless attempt to stop decomposition.
• What is the gap between living and existing?
• Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized?
• Is it moral for a vegetarian to eat animal-shaped cookies?
• Most time-saving devices are a total waste of time.
• Why Does Crime Require Punishment?
• Does a white painting on white paper exist?
• If you plan to fail, do you succeed when it happens?
• Why Should We Pay for Music?
• Everyone can be replaced.
• What would happen if you told only the truth?
• Why Are Reality Shows So Popular ?
• Knowing the date of your death: The best motivator?
• Who do we owe for our success?
• Courage and Fear: What Do You Know About Them?
• How do you know that something has a meaning?
• What does it mean to control your life?
• What Is Consciousness and How Does It Work?
• What comes first: the ends or the means?
• Is utilitarianism morally correct?
• Should abortion be legal around the world?
• Are current policies properly protecting individuals from discrimination?
• Does Plato provide a compelling argument for the immortality of the soul?
• Al Gore and Steven Koonin have competing views on climate change awareness. Which one is better?
• Should hate speech on the Internet and social media be prohibited?
• Has feminism as a movement accomplished all of its goals?
• Is presentness a real property of events?
• Is it acceptable to have zoos and circuses?
• Do wealthy countries have a moral obligation to help reduce global hunger?
• Does faith in God transform a person?
• Michael Bloomberg and Wayne LaPierre have opposite views on gun control. Which one is better?
• The development of the notion of government by social contract.
• The issues of democracy and possible solutions.
• Civil disobedience and its efficiency in advancing social change today.
• The role of government in the distribution of economic justice.
• The textual genesis of Wittgenstein’s philosophical investigations.
• The defense of Julian Simon’s views of the environmental crisis.
• The essence of time: how do we perceive the past, present, and future?
• The current status of measures of spirituality.
• The problem of free will in the context of metaphysics.
• Analysis of Isaiah Berlin’s understanding of “positive” and “negative” liberty.
• The key principles of just and unjust wars.
• The morality of field research on animals.
• The absolute way to achieve a happy state of mind.
• What is the problem with synthetic a priori knowledge?
• The role of AI technologies in wiping humanity.
• True beauty: subjective or objective?
• The meaning of rich and poor in the modern world.
• The importance of having a perfect life.
• Does religion have an impact on scientific thinking?
• The role of spirituality in a world of material prosperity.
• Life purpose and methods to find it.
• The possibility of time travel in the modern world.
• The methods to control human thoughts.
• Is it beneficial to be aware of your consciousness?
• How can we know for certain that there is an afterlife?
• Why are people the biggest threat to humanity?
• Does religion provoke more conflict than it solves?
• Does effective time management make our lives more meaningful and happier?
• Can money buy happiness?
• Why do we respect dead people more than the living?
• Is peace the only way to stop war?
• What is the primary goal of humanity?
• How does consciousness fit into the physical world?
• Will stronger regulations create a better world?
• How do we know about what there is outside of ourselves?
• Do guns protect people or kill people?

✍️ Bonus: 17 Tips on Writing a Philosophy Paper

When you’re assigned a philosophy paper, it can be a perfect moment to obtain a philosophical attitude: “This too shall pass.” However, while working on it, it’s better to concentrate and make maximum effort to do it right. Here are 17 quick tips that can help you a lot.

• Scholar.google.com
• The OALster database
• Internet Public Library
• Biblioscape
• Brainstorm your topic. This simple method can save you plenty of time and bring surprising results. Set a timer and try to generate as many ideas as possible within a chosen time period. Make it a rule to write down every idea crossing your mind (even if it seems crazy). You’ll have time to sort out your ideas later.
• Create an outline. After you choose all major arguments, work on the logical structure of your paper. As an option, draw a mind map for your would-be paper.
• Create a thesis statement. Just like any other academic paper, your Philosophy term paper will require a strong thesis statement, the last sentence in the introduction part, and briefly summarizing the main idea of your paper.
• Write a stunning introduction. Start with an attention hook – a quote, a rhetorical question, striking stats, or an interesting fact.
• Explain why you chose this topic.
• Write an effective literature review. Divide your sources into groups according to the authors’ conclusions. Point out the gap in the literature.
• Make transitions between sections. Make your Philosophy term papers flow. Just a couple of words connecting sections can improve the logical structure of your paper.
• Use hamburger paragraph structure. Start every paragraph with a topic sentence – a brief summary of what you’re going to discuss in the paragraph. Complete every paragraph with a concluding sentence – a brief repetition of what you’ve just said. It’s a great way to make your writing more logical and convincing.
• Spend 70% of word count on your own ideas. One of the best things about Philosophy writing is that you should include your own vision of the problem. Instead of jumping from one quote to another one, balance the quotes you use by adding your own ideas.
• Align your ideas with your course readings. Include a couple of terms you discussed in class or heard in lectures in your Philosophy term papers to impress your teachers.
• Discuss counterarguments. Show your deep understanding of the topic, shedding light on the conflicting points of view.
• Point out the limitations. Show your analytical thinking. Make it obvious that you understand that any research can have certain flaws, such as sampling or research method.
• Use spell, grammar, style, and plagiarism checkers. The software can help you improve the quality of your writing and help you avoid trouble.
• Cite all sources. Make sure that you give credit to the authors whose writing you used.
• Write a logical conclusion. Briefly repeat what you have said in your paper and add a new perspective – ideas for further research. Avoid including any new information in the conclusion of your Philosophy term paper.

We hope that our examples of philosophy topics for essays have inspired your philosophical thinking. Still, if you haven’t found what you are looking for, try out the topic generator . Enter the related keyword and check dozens of philosophy of science essay topics, philosophy of law topics, and many more.

❓ Philosophy Essay FAQ

What topics are in philosophy.

Philosophy topics for essays are subdivided into topics on law, politics, science, ethics, existential issues, and philosophy of religion topics. You can also research feminism, logical argumentation, human rationality, empiricism, stoicism, metaphysics, and epistemology. The broadest and the most exciting title could be: What is the world we live in really like?

How to Come up With a Topic in Philosophy?

• Select the domain. Would you like to discuss ethics, metaphysics, or epistemology? These are the three pillars of philosophy.
• If you prefer something more practical, choose topics on political philosophy.
• Read through your notes over the last semester. You will find an interesting research question.

What Is a Good Philosophy Essay Topic?

A good philosophy topic for an essay does not reveal your position but instead suggests an argumentative question. Does life have a superior meaning? Does an individual have the right to suicide? Can we build a happy society without international conflicts? Such questions allow you to develop arguments and explain your opinion.

What Are Easy Topics to Write About on Philosophy?

Philosophy ethics topics are probably the easiest papers to write because each person has their moral code, which could serve as a reference point. Consider the following:

• Why do all societies have different moral standards?
• Is there a universal paradigm of ethics?
• Is it ethical to apply euthanasia?

🔗 References

• Why Study Philosophy? | University of Washington
• Research Areas | Department of Philosophy
• How death shapes life | The Harvard Gazette
• Reflections on Death in Philosophical/Existential Context
• Research Overview | Department of Philosophy
• Philosophy of art | Britannica
• Research Clusters – Philosophy – Columbia University
• Political philosophy | Britannica

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• Philosophy Term Paper
• Samples List

An term paper examples on philosophy is a prosaic composition of a small volume and free composition, expressing individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue and obviously not claiming a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.

Some signs of philosophy term paper:

• the presence of a specific topic or question. A work devoted to the analysis of a wide range of problems in biology, by definition, cannot be performed in the genre of philosophy term paper topic.
• The term paper expresses individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue, in this case, on philosophy and does not knowingly pretend to a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.
• As a rule, an essay suggests a new, subjectively colored word about something, such a work may have a philosophical, historical, biographical, journalistic, literary, critical, popular scientific or purely fiction character.
• in the content of an term paper samples on philosophy , first of all, the author’s personality is assessed - his worldview, thoughts and feelings.

The goal of an term paper in philosophy is to develop such skills as independent creative thinking and writing out your own thoughts.

Writing an term paper is extremely useful, because it allows the author to learn to clearly and correctly formulate thoughts, structure information, use basic concepts, highlight causal relationships, illustrate experience with relevant examples, and substantiate his conclusions.

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Philosophy Paper

Ai generator.

To obtain good writing skills, you must need proper training to do so. For instance, you are asked to write a philosophy paper? How are you going to do it? A philosophy paper is unlike any other essay. It is not something that you can just research, express your thoughts and personal feelings or even a type of report. In this article, you will be able to know the nature of what a philosophy paper is and how to write a good one.

7+ Philosophy Paper Examples

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8. Political Philosophy Paper

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What is a Philosophy Paper?

A philosophy paper is a type of writing that allows you to establish a point involving valid justification to convince the readers. It is called a reasoned defense of a thesis .

How to Write your Philosophy Paper?

• State the question that is being asked.
• Ensure that you have complete answers to the questions.
• Do not include irrelevant issues.

Philosophy papers may be an exposition or an evaluation. If it is expository , you are going to explain the view of your arguments. If it is an evaluation, you have the freedom to do a little philosophy on your own.

If you tend to use words that you think are unfamiliar to the readers, define it. Avoid using quotes. However, you may use references that may support your claim.

Before writing, you must be able to state what it is that you are trying to tell to your readers. It is usually written in a single sentence of your proof. You should always remember to make everything clear. The next thing that you should do is to know the process of how you are going to convince the readers that what you have written is true. You must be able to present arguments that are rational. Assume that your readers will always have something to refute in your arguments. How are you going to respond?

To make it easier to keep track of the validity and accuracy of the arguments, avoid having those types of arguments that will come in different directions. Only include arguments that are considered the most compelling. You may have one or two of them.

 Outline of a Philosophy Paper

• Introduction – 
• Background – may contain definition of terms, parameters and your justification
• First argument – reason, supporting detail, anticipated objections and refutations

“The first, rather striking claim about the moral authority of the state occurs at 51b of the Crito. Socrates argues that, because of the state’s role as a provider of security, education, and various important social institutions (such as marriage), the citizens of the state are its “offspring and servants”; and from this he concludes that citizens are subordinate to the state and its laws to such an extent that if a citizen ever disagrees with the state’s laws or orders, he “must either persuade it or obey its orders,” even if the latter amounts to suffering death. The implication for his own case is clear: Socrates had tried to persuade the court of his innocence and of the injustice of his execution (as detailed in the Apology), but he had failed; therefore, he argues, he must now obey the court and accept his death sentence–even though he still thinks that he is in the right on this matter.”  ( Information on Writing Philosophy Papers , n.d.)

• Second argument – reason, supporting detail, anticipated objections and refutations
• Third argument – reason, supporting detail, anticipated objections and refutations
•   Conclusion

What are the things that should be avoided in writing a philosophy paper?

You should avoid writing in lengthy paragraphs. As much as possible, avoid begging for questions.

What to do when you are arguing to other positions?

Do not show that your opponents are mistaken. You must be able to demonstrate that a single detail is proven to be false. Do not assume that the position you are in is correct.

How long should a philosophy paper be?

A philosophy paper can reach a maximum of 5 pages.

For you to produce a good philosophy paper, it is very essential to think logically and critically. The paper must stand on its own so you have to say what you really mean. It should always be clear and precise.

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Home » Term Paper – Format, Examples and Writing Guide

Term Paper – Format, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Definition:

Term paper is a type of academic writing assignment that is typically assigned to students at the end of a semester or term. It is usually a research-based paper that is meant to demonstrate the student’s understanding of a particular topic, as well as their ability to analyze and synthesize information from various sources.

Term papers are usually longer than other types of academic writing assignments and can range anywhere from 5 to 20 pages or more, depending on the level of study and the specific requirements of the assignment. They often require extensive research and the use of a variety of sources, including books, articles, and other academic publications.

Term Paper Format

The format of a term paper may vary depending on the specific requirements of your professor or institution. However, a typical term paper usually consists of the following sections:

• Title page: This should include the title of your paper, your name, the course name and number, your instructor’s name, and the date.
• Abstract : This is a brief summary of your paper, usually no more than 250 words. It should provide an overview of your topic, the research question or hypothesis, your methodology, and your main findings or conclusions.
• Introduction : This section should introduce your topic and provide background information on the subject. You should also state your research question or hypothesis and explain the importance of your research.
• Literature review : This section should review the existing literature on your topic. You should summarize the key findings and arguments made by other scholars and identify any gaps in the literature that your research aims to address.
• Methodology: This section should describe the methods you used to collect and analyze your data. You should explain your research design, sampling strategy, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
• Results : This section should present your findings. You can use tables, graphs, and charts to illustrate your data.
• Discussion : This section should interpret your findings and explain what they mean in relation to your research question or hypothesis. You should also discuss any limitations of your study and suggest areas for future research.
• Conclusion : This section should summarize your main findings and conclusions. You should also restate the importance of your research and its implications for the field.
• References : This section should list all the sources you cited in your paper using a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
• Appendices : This section should include any additional materials that are relevant to your study but not essential to your main argument (e.g., survey questions, interview transcripts).

Structure of Term Paper

Here’s an example structure for a term paper:

I. Introduction

A. Background information on the topic

B. Thesis statement

II. Literature Review

A. Overview of current literature on the topic

B. Discussion of key themes and findings from literature

C. Identification of gaps in current literature

III. Methodology

A. Description of research design

B. Discussion of data collection methods

C. Explanation of data analysis techniques

IV. Results

A. Presentation of findings

B. Analysis and interpretation of results

C. Comparison of results with previous studies

V. Discussion

A. Summary of key findings

B. Explanation of how results address the research questions

C. Implications of results for the field

VI. Conclusion

A. Recap of key points

B. Significance of findings

C. Future directions for research

VII. References

A. List of sources cited in the paper

How to Write Term Paper

Here are some steps to help you write a term paper:

• Choose a topic: Choose a topic that interests you and is relevant to your course. If your professor has assigned a topic, make sure you understand it and clarify any doubts before you start.
• Research : Conduct research on your topic by gathering information from various sources such as books, academic journals, and online resources. Take notes and organize your information systematically.
• Create an outline : Create an outline of your term paper by arranging your ideas and information in a logical sequence. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Write a thesis statement: Write a clear and concise thesis statement that states the main idea of your paper. Your thesis statement should be included in your introduction.
• Write the introduction: The introduction should grab the reader’s attention, provide background information on your topic, and introduce your thesis statement.
• Write the body : The body of your paper should provide supporting evidence for your thesis statement. Use your research to provide details and examples to support your argument. Make sure to organize your ideas logically and use transition words to connect paragraphs.
• Write the conclusion : The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
• Edit and proofread: Edit and proofread your term paper carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and flows smoothly. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
• Format and cite your sources: Follow the formatting guidelines provided by your professor and cite your sources properly using the appropriate citation style.
• Submit your paper : Submit your paper on time and according to the instructions provided by your professor.

Term Paper Example

Here’s an example of a term paper:

Title : The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

As the world becomes more digitally interconnected, cybersecurity threats are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Traditional security measures are no longer enough to protect against these threats. This paper explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity, including how AI can be used to detect and respond to threats in real-time, the challenges of implementing AI in cybersecurity, and the potential ethical implications of AI-powered security systems. The paper concludes with recommendations for organizations looking to integrate AI into their cybersecurity strategies.

Introduction :

The increasing number of cybersecurity threats in recent years has led to a growing interest in the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve cybersecurity. AI has the ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate a security breach. Additionally, AI can automate responses to threats, allowing for faster and more effective mitigation of security incidents. However, there are also challenges associated with implementing AI in cybersecurity, such as the need for large amounts of high-quality data, the potential for AI systems to make mistakes, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in security.

Literature Review:

This section of the paper reviews existing research on the use of AI in cybersecurity. It begins by discussing the types of AI techniques used in cybersecurity, including machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks. The literature review then explores the advantages of using AI in cybersecurity, such as its ability to detect previously unknown threats and its potential to reduce the workload of security analysts. However, the review also highlights some of the challenges associated with implementing AI in cybersecurity, such as the need for high-quality training data and the potential for AI systems to be fooled by sophisticated attacks.

Methodology :

To better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with using AI in cybersecurity, this paper conducted a survey of cybersecurity professionals working in a variety of industries. The survey included questions about the types of AI techniques used in their organizations, the challenges they faced when implementing AI in cybersecurity, and their perceptions of the ethical implications of using AI in security.

The results of the survey showed that while many organizations are interested in using AI in cybersecurity, they face several challenges when implementing these systems. These challenges include the need for high-quality training data, the potential for AI systems to be fooled by sophisticated attacks, and the difficulty of integrating AI with existing security systems. Additionally, many respondents expressed concerns about the ethical implications of using AI in security, such as the potential for AI to be biased or to make decisions that are harmful to individuals or society as a whole.

Discussion :

Based on the results of the survey and the existing literature, this paper discusses the potential benefits and risks of using AI in cybersecurity. It also provides recommendations for organizations looking to integrate AI into their security strategies, such as the need to prioritize data quality and to ensure that AI systems are transparent and accountable.

Conclusion :

While there are challenges associated with implementing AI in cybersecurity, the potential benefits of using these systems are significant. AI can help organizations detect and respond to threats more quickly and effectively, reducing the risk of security breaches. However, it is important for organizations to be aware of the potential ethical implications of using AI in security and to take steps to ensure that these systems are transparent and accountable.

References:

• Alkhaldi, S., Al-Daraiseh, A., & Lutfiyya, H. (2019). A Survey on Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Cyber Security. Journal of Information Security, 10(03), 191-207.
• Gartner. (2019). Gartner Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2020. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2020/
• Kshetri, N. (2018). Blockchain’s roles in meeting key supply chain management objectives. International Journal of Information Management, 39, 80-89.
• Lipton, Z. C. (2018). The mythos of model interpretability. arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.03490.
• Schneier, B. (2019). Click Here to Kill Everybody: Security and Survival in a Hyper-Connected World. WW Norton & Company.
• Wahab, M. A., Rahman, M. S., & Islam, M. R. (2020). A Survey on AI Techniques in Cybersecurity. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 11(2), 22-27.

When to Write Term Paper

A term paper is usually a lengthy research paper that is assigned to students at the end of a term or semester. There are several situations when writing a term paper may be required, including:

• As a course requirement: In most cases, a term paper is required as part of the coursework for a particular course. It may be assigned by the instructor as a way of assessing the student’s understanding of the course material.
• To explore a specific topic : A term paper can be an excellent opportunity for students to explore a specific topic of interest in-depth. It allows them to conduct extensive research on the topic and develop their understanding of it.
• To develop critical thinking skills : Writing a term paper requires students to engage in critical thinking and analysis. It helps them to develop their ability to evaluate and interpret information, as well as to present their ideas in a clear and coherent manner.
• To prepare for future academic or professional pursuits: Writing a term paper can be an excellent way for students to prepare for future academic or professional pursuits. It can help them to develop the research and writing skills necessary for success in higher education or in a professional career.

Purpose of Term Paper

The main purposes of a term paper are:

• Demonstrate mastery of a subject: A term paper provides an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. It requires students to research and analyze the topic, and then present their findings in a clear and organized manner.
• Develop critical thinking skills: Writing a term paper requires students to think critically about their subject matter, analyzing various sources and viewpoints, and evaluating evidence to support their arguments.
• Improve writing skills : Writing a term paper helps students improve their writing skills, including organization, clarity, and coherence. It also requires them to follow specific formatting and citation guidelines, which can be valuable skills for future academic and professional endeavors.
• Contribute to academic discourse : A well-written term paper can contribute to academic discourse by presenting new insights, ideas, and arguments that add to the existing body of knowledge on a particular topic.
• Prepare for future research : Writing a term paper can help prepare students for future research, by teaching them how to conduct a literature review, evaluate sources, and formulate research questions and hypotheses. It can also help them develop research skills that they can apply in future academic or professional endeavors.

Advantages of Term Paper

There are several advantages of writing a term paper, including:

• In-depth exploration: Writing a term paper allows you to delve deeper into a specific topic, allowing you to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
• Improved writing skills: Writing a term paper involves extensive research, critical thinking, and the organization of ideas into a cohesive written document. As a result, writing a term paper can improve your writing skills significantly.
• Demonstration of knowledge: A well-written term paper demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, which can be beneficial for academic or professional purposes.
• Development of research skills : Writing a term paper requires conducting thorough research, analyzing data, and synthesizing information from various sources. This process can help you develop essential research skills that can be applied in many other areas.
• Enhancement of critical thinking : Writing a term paper encourages you to think critically, evaluate information, and develop well-supported arguments. These skills can be useful in many areas of life, including personal and professional decision-making.
• Preparation for further academic work : Writing a term paper is excellent preparation for more extensive academic projects, such as a thesis or dissertation.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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