Philosophy Term Paper Writing Guide + 120 Excellent Topics

When you signed up for Philosophy class, did you realize how much writing you would have to do? Unfortunately, stating your opinion without supporting it with evidence, examples, and reasoning does not make you a philosopher. For this reason, as well as the vague and intangible nature of most subjects your class covers, writing a philosophy term paper is a challenge. If you struggle to put your vague ideas into words, make the most of this guide. We’ve also included an extensive topic list to help you find an intriguing research question.

Additionally, you can count on our expert term paper writing services if you fail to master the assignment yourself.

What Is a Philosophy Term Paper?

Philosophical writing is unlike any other form of academic assignment you’ve completed so far. Instead of relying on empirical data, facts, or statistics, philosophy papers call for logical analysis and clear reasoning based solely on theoretical conclusions you develop through thinking about a question or a problem.

Another distinct characteristic setting a philosophy term paper apart from similar assignments is the use of specialized terms. For instance, words like vague, valid, or sound hold specific connotations and meanings regarding philosophical theories and arguments. You should be careful about using them unless you fully realize their meaning and weight.

How to Write a Philosophy Term Paper

Reserve your creativity for the paper’s content, but keep its structure clear and straightforward. The three-part combination of introduction, body, and conclusion is a time-tested outline that works regardless of subject, class, and topic.

Philosophy Term Paper Introduction

The opening section of your term paper should hold several vital pieces necessary to establish the problem, convince the reader of its importance, and prepare them for your arguments. The must-have components of a philosophy term paper introduction include:

A clear, strong thesis statement. It can be one to two sentences long and come as close to the beginning of the paper as possible. You can open the paper with it and explain the specifics later. Remember that a thesis cannot be irrefutable. Instead, it should be a statement with which your audience can agree or disagree.
Personal thesis motivation. Explain briefly why you chose the topic and why the readers should care about it.
Brief argumentation outline. Do not go into detail, but outline the basics of your ideas or arguments to help the reader prepare and better understand your reasoning.
Technical terms explanation. If you’re dealing with a highly-specialized problem, take the time to define the common terms you will use throughout the paper.

The introduction is often the most challenging section of the term paper, but you don’t have to start with it. It is usually easier to complete after the rest of the paper is done. Still, you’ll need to at least develop a thesis statement to guide your writing and keep it on track.

Philosophy Term Paper Body

The major section of your paper should hold the bulk of argumentation and evidence. Unfortunately, there is no universal guide for structuring the body of a philosophy paper, as each topic and thesis is unique and requires an original line of reasoning. Still, we can share a few tips for an impressive body section:

Few strong arguments are better than lots of weak ones. If the word count is low enough, you can stick with a single argument, the strongest one you can develop. Building on it will make your paper more convincing than squeezing in half a dozen weak points.
Provide enough evidence to convince the reader. Empirical evidence is rarely a good fit for philosophy papers, but you can use examples and logical conclusions to convince the audience. Reductio is also a typical tool used to reject some of the premises in an argument.
Refute the strongest objection to your thesis. Develop a few counterarguments your opponents could use and refute the strongest you can think of. Include this rebuttal near the end of the body section, right before the conclusion.

The most problematic aspect of writing the body paragraphs is establishing the logical flow. You can work on it during the editing stage but think about it as you write, too. Disjointed passages do not make a good term paper.

Philosophy Term Paper Conclusion

The conclusion is the culmination of your philosophical writing, but it doesn’t need to be protracted. Keep it short and memorable by circling back to your thesis. Emphasize the key points of your argument that prove your point. Do not raise new questions or add fresh points to this section. If you come up with good ideas, return to the body passages and use them to support your argument.

Dos and Don’ts of Writing Philosophy Papers

We’ve gone over “What is a philosophy term paper outline?” and how to fill the gaps in every significant part. Now let us share some advice before we go over exciting research opportunities.

Do:

Use first-person pronouns. Unlike most academic assignments, philosophy papers reflect your take on a problem. So it’s appropriate to use phrases such as ‘I think’, ‘my understanding’, or ‘my main objection’.
Use appropriate transitions. Philosophical arguments are notoriously challenging to follow, but you can make it easier on the reader if you use signpost language, i.e., ‘My first argument is’, ‘therefore’, ‘hence’, ‘follows from’, etc.
Give credit through careful citation. Whether you use direct quotes or paraphrasing, you must include references and in-text citations to make your paper look stronger and avoid plagiarism accusations.
Edit and proofread religiously. The post-writing steps take as much time as writing a term paper to avoid spelling blunders, missing commas, and wordy explanations. If your paper falls short of the word count requirements after editing, look for weak arguments that need extra weight and evidential support.

Do not:

Write the whole term paper in one sitting, from top to bottom. Instead, write small snippets as ideas strike you or as you go through the sources. You can then tweak and combine these bits to fit your overarching argument.
Look for a happy medium. Philosophy writing is not about presenting all possible options. Instead, it’s about formulating and supporting a single core argument and refuting possible objections.
Pad the word count. Lengthy introductions leading with generic phrases, drawn-out quotes that don’t add substance to the discussion, and excessive examples - these should be the first victims of ruthless editing.
Minimize other philosophers’ contributions. Resorting to petty and unfounded criticism will not earn you extra points, as it’s a sure sign you misunderstand the source material. If you have to critique others’ work, provide solid evidence and explain your reasoning.

Philosophy Term Paper Topics

Before going straight to the topic list, consider our recommendations for finding the perfect idea for your class. With our helpful tips, you’ll make the most of our topic collection.

How to Choose a Good Term Paper Topic

If your professor gives you creative freedom over the research question, the sheer number of possibilities can be overwhelming. It helps to split all philosophy paper topics into two categories. Problem-focused topics emphasize a particular issue and strive to find the best solution through philosophical thinking. Text-focused paper topics are always built around an analysis of one or more publications by famous philosophers. The line between these two paper types can be blurred, as both require a combination of source material and original analysis.

Whichever direction you pursue, remember to pick a research issue you’re curious and passionate about. Start with a broad area of interest, then gradually narrow your topic until it becomes tight enough for the term paper scope. Use our collection for inspiration and find a philosophical topic on religion, education, technology, or sex.

Easy Philosophy Paper Topics

Comparative analysis of idealistic and materialistic philosophical views
The relevance of utopias and dystopias in the 21st century
Discussion of pragmatism as a relevant environmental philosophy
A philosophical study of the nature of knowledge and its role in education
The nature and historical purpose of technology through a philosophical lens
The origins of European and Chinese philosophies
Understanding the philosophy of current globalization
Comparing Eastern and Western philosophies of religion
Changes in the philosophy of education throughout the Covid-19 pandemic
The long-term effects of the democratization of knowledge during the Renaissance

Good Philosophy Term Paper Topics

The value of hope in political philosophy
Political underpinnings of global promotion of Chinese philosophy
Understanding the philosophical basis for social and political disruption
Sustainable development as a basis for the modern philosophy of economics
Philosophical understanding of the efficacy of the religious practice
Philosophical issues raised by Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series
Practical application of philosophical principles for conflict resolution
Considering anarchy as the best basis for philosophical development
Applying evidence-based principles in philosophy of education
Philosophical interpretations of genetic manipulation in humans

Fun Philosophy Paper Topics

Looking for empirical evidence of consciousness in real-time
Hedonism as a significant motivator in the 21st century
Philosophical implications of heaven and hell in Christianity
Bridging the fine line between fun and fear
The reasons behind disparaging philosophy
Applying philosophical principles to social media
The red flags signifying crisis in modern philosophy
The conflict between tradition and relevance in philosophy studies
The practical applications of the arbitrary concept of time by college students
The philosophical and ethical causes of vegetarianism and veganism

Political Philosophy Term Paper Topics

Comparative analysis of Plato’s and Aristotle’s political philosophy
The shortcomings of political philosophy regarding international relations
The causes and effects of populism in current political philosophy
Political philosophy challenges raised by the development of artificial intelligence
Political philosophy contributions to the whistleblowing debate
Adaptive preferences in political philosophy
Anarchist political philosophy origins and current state
Political philosophy challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic
Agents of change putting political philosophy into practice in the 21st century
Contemporary issues in federalism as a political philosophy theory

Philosophy of Sex Term Paper Topics

Pornographic aspects of the philosophy of language
Philosophical understanding of sex and sexuality
Social conditioning affecting perceptions of sexual identity and orientation
The philosophical, social, and cultural basis of the fear of sex among Americans
Ethical issues regarding sexual autonomy and consent
The regulation of sexual relationships through legal and social norms
The modes of controlling and pathologizing sex and sexuality in modern society
The line between ethical and problematic sexual preferences and fetishes
Philosophical views of consent-based sexual objectification
Bodily autonomy and informed consent concerning the non-therapeutic alteration of children’s genitals

Philosophy of Religion Paper Topics

Comparative analysis of the respect for the concept of nature across global religions
The effect of religion on a group’s propensity towards collectivistic behavior
Analyzing the differences between the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of science
The concept of “nothing” predating the creation of the universe across global religions
The evolution of the philosophy of religion from the Middle Ages to modern times
The conflict between the concepts of free will and God’s omniscience
Comparing the understanding of the highest good across global religions
Bridging the gap between religious dogmas and human rights
The philosophers’ stance on religion in the 21st century
Analyzing religious changes in the context of scientific discoveries

Philosophy of Law Topics

Legal pluralism averting violence connected to homogenizing legal centralization
The concepts of fact and evidence in the philosophy of law
Contemporary views on international responsibility law
Philosophy of law regarding Antarctic interests and practice
The development and implementation of changes in the law
Practical applications of the philosophy of law
The arguments in favor of the philosophy of law relevance
The current relationship between law and philosophy
The foundation of Marxist philosophy of law and its modern interpretations
The state’s effects on the philosophy of law

Philosophy Ethics Topics

Discovering the relationship between the ten commandments and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Ethical foundations of decision-making
Predicting philosophy ethics dilemmas future generations will face
The connections between philosophy, ethics, religion, and morality
Analyzing public policy through the prism of ethical philosophy
Practical applications of moral philosophy and ethical theories
Comparing teaching philosophy and ethics in the US and EU
Understanding the causes of evil through moral philosophy
The philosophical, ethical, and spiritual aspects of pessimism
Driving healthcare improvements through practical ethical philosophy

Read more: Ethics term paper topics for your inspiration

Philosophy of Education Term Paper Topics

Decolonizing teaching methods and approaches in higher education
The effects of the philosophy of education on innovation
Historical overview of the Western philosophy of education
The future development of the philosophy of education
The philosophy of educational research in STEM
The foundations of the Ancient Indian philosophy of education
The value of philosophy of education for engineering educators
The marginalization of explorative learning in favor of goal-oriented studies
The undermining of gender studies by the contemporary philosophy of education
Philosophical solutions to the current crisis in education

Philosophy of Language Term Paper Ideas

Feminist aspects of the philosophy of language
The effect of orthodox beliefs on the philosophy of language
The place of metaphors in the philosophy of language
Experimental philosophy approaches in the philosophy of language
Externalism, emergentism, and essentialism in the philosophy of linguistics
The philosophical basis of language acquisition
The relationship between language and reality
Applied pragmatics in the philosophy of language
The connection between language and rational thought
The existence of objective truth through the prism of the philosophy of language

Philosophy of Science Term Paper Topics

Comparative analysis of the philosophy of classical and non-classical physics
Distinguishable and non-distinguishable entities and evolution
Analyzing the phenomenon of causation in science
Philosophical understanding of the concepts of brain functionality
Classification of living beings based on feedback loops
Comparative analysis of natural and program languages
Alternative life models through the philosophical lens
Analyzing the context differences between the real and neural worlds
Actions and actors in the classification of human knowledge
Philosophical understanding of determinism and indeterminism

Philosophy of Technology Term Paper Ideas

Transhumanism as a framework for assessing technological advancement
The place of aesthetic cognitivism in the philosophy of technology
The shortcomings of the biological approach for analyzing information technology
Understanding technological enframing in medicine through the philosophy of technology
Exploring the potential of experimental philosophy of technology
Technology inheriting the moral values and flaws of its creators
Problematic analogies between technical and natural objects in the biological philosophy of technology
The influence of media and technology philosophers on the sustainable web ecosystem
Analyzing the relationship of mobile technology with individuals and human society
The emancipative and liberating technology within the context of the feminist movement

FAQ

What Is a Good Term Paper for Philosophy?

That’s a philosophical question. If your goal is to get an A, a good paper should meet the professor’s rubric requirements. Generally, a good piece is clear, logical, convincing, well-written, properly formatted, and submitted for grading on time. And you can get such a term paper from OrderTermPaper company.

How Much Original Thought to Include in a Philosophy Term Paper?

Ideally, at least half of your term paper should comprise original analysis and conclusions. Remember that explaining other philosophers’ theories and ideas does not count as original thinking. Only arguments and examples you develop independently constitute original writing.

How to Come up with a Good Topic for a Philosophy Term Paper?

Philosophy is a study of knowledge, life, and so much more, so you can pick any direction you are passionate about and turn it into a philosophy paper. Science, religion, law, medicine, technology, education, sports - all these and more can become the focus of your philosophy term paper. You can use our list to find inspiration or do a quick Google Scholar or ResearchGate search by coupling your area of interest with philosophy. Browse search results, and you’ll surely find a suitable topic.

120 Philosophy Term Paper Topics and Writing Guide