How to write a philosophy paper

After offering reasons for accepting your thesis, you need to consider potential objections. These objections come in two varieties, and you must consider both. First, there are objections to your argument, which can be directed against either your reasoning or your assumptions. Second there are objections to your thesis. The first sort of objection is directed against the reasons you give for your thesis, while the second sort is directed against the thesis itself.

To deal with the first sort of objection, you will probably need to offer sub-arguments (i.e., arguments that defend certain steps or assumptions made in your main argument). But first you’ll need to ask yourself, to which of my assumptions and to which of the steps in my argument is someone of the opposing view likely to object. You'll need to offer counter arguments against such objections. Ultimately, the argumentative steps and assumptions you rely on should be acceptable to your opponent. This part of your

essay is absolutely essential. For if you fail to consider and rebut such objections, then you will have failed to make a satisfactory positive case for your thesis.

The other type of objection is directed against your thesis/conclusion. You should ask yourself the following questions: Does my conclusion have any controversial implications? Can I think of any counter-examples to my conclusion? And, most importantly, DON'T IGNORE YOUR OPPONENT'S COUNTERARGUMENTS. If you make a claim that one of the philosophers we’ve discussed has argued against, you absolutely must address that argument—see the section entitled “Criticizing an Argument.” In other words, if your thesis is P and one of the philosophers we’ve discussed has argued not-P, then you must show where that philosopher’s argument for not-P goes wrong. If you don’t, you will receive a poor grade. Of course, if you don't think that you can adequately rebut the argument, then you need to change your thesis to something you can defend.