Free Will and Determinism
Delve into the concept of "free will" versus "determinism." Utilize arguments from historical philosophers, and apply their theories to everyday decisions and actions in contemporary society.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- State your main point in one sentence before you start.
- Include a counterargument and answer it fairly.
- Cut every sentence that only repeats the one before it.
Writing philosophy books
Big questions, argued carefully.
Philosophy asks how to live, what we can know and what's right. Popular philosophy brings those questions to general readers, and Stoicism in particular has found a huge new audience.
What readers expect
- A real question at the center
- Careful, step-by-step reasoning
- Engagement with other thinkers
- Ideas readers can apply
A tip before you start
Start with a question readers already ask themselves, then reason through it in plain language.
More Philosophy prompts
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- Freedom Across BordersReflect on the notion of "freedom" in different political systems. How do cultural, social, and economic conditions shape the understanding and value…
- Doubt and KnowledgeExamine the role of doubt in the pursuit of knowledge. Discuss whether doubt can be seen as a tool for skepticism that leads to deeper understanding…
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