Original Philosophical Argument with Socratic Defence
12 weeks · 0 milestones
Construct an original philosophical argument (minimum 1,000 words) on a real contested philosophical question. State a clear thesis, defend it with premises and supporting reasoning, acknowledge the strongest objection, and respond to it. The Socratic dialogue is a REQUIRED component of this outcome — not optional. A qualified philosopher, logician, or philosophy academic poses at least four substantive challenges to your argument; your responses are recorded or documented in writing. The full exchange — both the challenges and your responses — is submitted alongside the original argument. This outcome cannot be completed without a real qualified interlocutor: the dialogue is the proof, not a supplement to it. The essay alone is not sufficient.
Milestone map
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3 milestones
Select a genuine philosophical question where reasonable positions differ — moral realism, personal identity, free will, epistemic justification, or the nature of consciousness. Develop an original argument: state your thesis, construct it with explicit premises and conclusion, demonstrate familiarity with at least two named philosophers or traditions, and explain how your argument differs from or improves on existing positions. The argument must be yours — not a restatement of any named position.
Proof required
Original philosophical argument document (800+ words) stating the thesis, constructing the argument in explicit form (premises and conclusion), demonstrating familiarity with at least two named philosophers or traditions, and explaining how the argument differs from or improves on existing positions.
What gets checked
- Thesis is specific enough to be argued for — not a general position statement
- At least two named philosophers or traditions are substantively engaged — not just mentioned
- Argument is demonstrably original — not a restatement of any single named position