Advice
Dr. Phillip Meadows
What Is A Philosophy
Essay?
A philosophy essay should be an argument.
It is not:
1. A statement.
2. A survey.
3. A historical description.
What Is A Philosophy
Essay?
2. A survey just reports on the various different views available:
Jeremy Bentham thinks that all pleasures should count for the
same, but other philosophers disagree with this, for example John
Stewart Mill thinks that some pleasures should count for more than
others.
What Is A Philosophy
Essay?
A historical description concentrates on providing accurate and
informative historical details:
Jeremy Bentham developed utilitarianism in the 19th century, in
response to the dramatic changes in English society that occurred
during the industrial revolution. It was received poorly at the time
and was criticised by a number of prominent intellectuals, including
Thomas Carlyle.
What Is A Philosophy
Essay?
Your essay should aim to do the following:
Give examples which help explain the view, or which help to make
the view more plausible.
Contrast the strengths and weaknesses of two opposing views
about the view.
What Is A Philosophy
Essay?
A warning:
You have to be explicit about the reasons you give.
Dont assume that the person reading the essay understands you.
Assume that the person reading is an intelligent, rebellious 12 year old.
Dont assume that the person reading the essay agrees with you.
Assume that the person reading disagrees with you on every point.
Style
Aim for simplicity.
The discussion should use simple language, but not be
simplistic.
Dont try to use fancy technical words or flowery descriptions.
The utilitarian doctrine is triumph of the hedonic spirit, which
aims to combat the tide of misery and suffering in the poor and
downtrodden. It is supported by the argument from ethical
egalitarianism and is a shining light of justice.
Style
Aim for rigour.
For any argument you give, there will very likely be a reply that someone
has given.
A rigorous discussion is one that considers as many of these as space
allows.
Because you have a limited space, you much decide which is the most
difficult objection and give a forceful reply.
Jeremy Bentham thinks that all pleasures should count for the same, but other
philosophers disagree with this, for example John Stewart Mill thinks that
some pleasures should count for more than others. However, Mills position
reflects the prejudices of the elite, which are themselves without justification.
Without such justification, the distinction between higher and lower pleasures
looks like an unmotivated attempt to maintain entrenched privileges.
However, Mill does offer a justification of this distinction. He argues that..
This justification is not very convincing, however, because. Moreover, .
Structure
You should be very explicit about what the structure of the essay is.
First, have a very clear introduction.
In this essay I will defend the view that actions are ethical because of the consequences they
produce. My argument will be [brief description of main reasons]. I will consider the objection that
. However, I will show that this objection can be easily met [has limited force/misses the central
issue] because.
Second, use separate paragraphs for each main point, signposting as you transition from one
to the other.
First, I will provide a full statement of the view I am defending.
Having described the view, I will turn to consider the main objection [rival view].
As I have explained, the main objection concentrates on. However, I think this objection has little
force, because.
Third, use clear examples to illustrate the abstract points you want to make.
So, the objection is that utilitarianism makes excessive demands on moral agents. For example, if
presented with a choice between paying for ones childrens education or increasing the pleasure of
a large number of strangers, it may require the latter. This seems an excessively burdensome
requirement.
Fourth, give a clear summary of you main point, and the reasons for it at the end.
I have argued for the view that. I have argued that in spite of the common objection that , the
view can be defended because.
Research
You are expected to research the topic using academic text books,
monographs and journal articles.
Using the internet is not adequate. If you only use internet sources, you will
probably fail.
Start by reading the articles and introductory texts posted on blackboard.
Search using the library for relevant material not on the lists.
Search philpapers.net for journal articles.
Read these and make notes of the main arguments.
Explain these arguments in your essay and give short quotes, with
references.
You must give references in the text, as well as a bibliography at the end.
You must follow a referencing system. I suggest the Harvard system.