Your preferences are noted.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Yes. It is always best to know about the subject you wish to write about. Theory, experience and practice.

That doesn't necessarily apply to reading.
We learn by opening up our minds to stuff we haven't even thought of...

What would you like to write/read about?

Well written details of personal experiences rather than philosophical ramblings should have priority. — jgill

If it is about personal experience, what form of philosophical writing do you think would be best?

Philosophy Writing includes:

Essays, Philosophical texts, Meditations, Personal narratives, Diaries, Memoirs, Correspondence, Letters, Lectures, and Contemporary criticism. 

For me:
Imagination
The Good Life
AI: Effects on humans
Spirituality: Secular or Religious?

A quick question.

It seems that we might be going down the route of 1. leaving the topic open to individuals to choose whatever they want. This is thought more likely to increase participation levels.

However, it might be that you think 2. it would be good to have one topic for all.
Any thoughts/preference? And:

What topic/s would you be interested in writing or reading about?

A worthy topic indeed. :up: — Baden

Thanks. I think so :100:

Edit: But I can do that even if the topic is of own choosing. @Moliere is right!

I'd want to keep it as open as possible to allow people with different interests to submit, — Moliere

Yes! :up:

Copy what exactly? The Lit Activity?
Yes, the basic structure is great. As to how it works. Each year is different e.g voting. Baden has made a few changes including separate threads. See discussion. Yet to see how that goes. Very well I hope and expect :flower:

OK. Understood. Flexibility is the order of the day :up:
Edit: but some like a flexible focus. A fixed topic can concentrate the mind within own field of interest.

Question: Why did Nietzsche cross the road?...




...To get beyond good and evil.

Then on the designated date I'll post the essays with their titles (or number them if they have no titles) and we'll go from there. — Moliere

The Title of an essay is important.

It is the reader's first impression.
It captures attention.
It communicates the main idea.
It condenses and relates to the content.
It is an intriguing guide, leading to what...?
It shows the care and creativity of the author.

Numbering essays? Just No.

Initially, authors are to be kept anonymous. So 'Imagination' is only my working title. Guessing the author is part of the fun.

***

How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples
https://www.oxbridgeessays.com/blog/how-to-title-an-essay/

Update:
In the poll, I chose to be only a reader. I have persuaded myself to 'walk the talk' and write. :gasp:
An essay - an attempt. The working title: Imagination :sparkle:

Great to see people still voting and commenting!

Of the 15 votes, I wonder about the 47% who thought they would 'Maybe' participate.

The decision to write and submit an entry will depend on a number of factors:

Its Value for self and others. I see that as self-evident. A new and exciting way to challenge our thoughts. To think in and out of the box. To write, read, reflect. Relating with imagination. To showcase quality of careful consideration. To lift ourselves up from the doom'n'gloom. To name just a few...

Personal experience, confidence and ability. This matters if we think there will be harsh judgement or pedantry. However, the word 'essay' is from the French 'essayer' - to try. An essay is an 'attempt'. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It is a learning experience in a safe and encouraging environment. Any criticism should be constructive. The aim is to enjoy our creativity in sharing ideas. For beginners and the more experienced.

Topic: Well, it could be a Concept like 'Imagination'. A Question: 'What is philosophy good for?'. 'Is it wrong to marry a duck-bill Platypus?' - posed elsewhere by @unenlightened. :cool: Or a Debate/Argument about a philosophical claim or thesis. Your own or from a known/unknown Philosopher. 'The mind is identical to the brain'. Whatever. Thoughts?

Should it be the same for everyone? So that we can compare and be open to different approaches?
I still like the idea of 'Imagination' for everyone. It gives plenty of scope for questions, debate, analysis and creativity.

Length: in the Literary Activity, the current rule for a short story is:
5) Min 500/Max 5000 words (no exceptions).

What would be best for the Philosophy Activity?
Or do we need a word count? Would this limit the flow of ideas?
Readers have different tolerances for length.

What else is going on: @Moliere has allowed plenty of time. The announcement to be around February. The last date for submissions is June 1st. Then open for reading, comments and discussion until...?

That's what I got. What about you? All questions and comments welcome!
This is 'Philosophy for All' :cool:

And, of course, my poll was rubbish! All 15 voters - even the devilish No's @180 Proof! - continued to say they would participate as:

Writer - 7%
Reader - 47%
Both - 47%

This is going to be Fun :flower:

Talking about Rules, I see @Baden has now added:

12) No AI (except for proofreading). You can check your story here: https://gptzero.me/ . A score that suggests significant AI input will result in your story being rejected.

I think that is sensible.

there's time for thinking of guidelines along the way in this thread. I wouldn't post the announcement until at least February to ensure we don't conflict with the literary activity. — Moliere

Absolutely. I haven't abandoned the Literary Activity. Can't wait until the short stories are posted!
So far, reading and feedback is from the 15th - 31st December. And probably a few more days...
Then time to party and recover! :party:

haven't thought about what rules to have. I'm so far willing to administer things, I don't know if I have good ideas for rules. (unsurprisingly, I rather dislike rules) — Moliere

I prefer Guidance Notes. Whatever, the KISS principle works fine with me :cool:

I would almost certainly take part — I like sushi

:up:

I am assuming it would not be a rigorous essay — I like sushi

Well, it depends on what you mean by 'rigorous'. Previously, I suggested:

I think it would be good for both beginners and the more experienced.
To be challenged in ways other than writing in a thread. This would give people a chance to be creative and test themselves against others. Or simply for own enjoyment.That I would love to read — Amity

I think that the writing also depends on a person's approach to philosophy.
My idea would be for it to include more than the academic. There is a wide spectrum, as obvious in the threads. We are limited only by our imagination!

The variations in outlook are fascinating. The different ways of thinking.
I think it could be quite inspiring. If we take a theme, like the OPs 'Imagination' and run with it.

'Imagination’. We intend this topic to be understood broadly, so as to include related issues in any area of philosophy and from any philosophical tradition.' — Amity

@Moliere ?

@Moliere
The announcement would include the Rules, yes?
Along the lines of the Literary Activity - but hopefully simpler:
https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/15585/literary-activity-dec-2024/p1

I was thinking after the literary activity is concluded we could put up an announcement somewhere that submissions are due by the 1st of June, then I'd post them up into a separate sub-forum like the literary activity does on the 2nd of June, and go from there. — Moliere

Excellent! :fire:

That sounds super easy. — Moliere

Easy when you know how! :smile: I haven't tried it yet. Perhaps best to do a trial run?

Pastebin Tutorial

So is that when all submissions should be in by?
The announcement that it is happening would be some weeks before...or what?

I'm free. Good to go :up:

Oh, I didn't realise that. July is our busiest time for hols. So, May then?
May Day 1st? Sorry, June!

might be worth running midyear to balance with the literary activity. — Baden

Yes. :up: Already suggested that. Month still to be decided. But I'm thinking May/June before holidays start...

I'm fine with taking over those tasks. — Moliere

:up:

for the literary activity? — Moliere

They use PMs. But how things happen after that, not got a clue. @Baden would know.
From the OP: https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/15585/literary-activity-dec-2024/p1

1) Submissions will be open until the 15th of December. The stories will then be posted and can be commented on until the 31st of December.
2) After that, one day will be allotted to "guess the author".
3) Entries must be PMed either to me or to @Noble Dust. NOT TO BOTH OF US.

Thanks for the links. Have taken a quick look. Excellent work by @fdrake.
I don't know how much that would affect any 'judging' in the Philosophy Activity? I've never used ChatGPT. Somehow, it makes me feel uncomfortable...

I recommend a length requirement, say one page. And how do you deal with AI? Perhaps open it up to AI with each participant asking for a short essay on a particular uniform subject, but in different ways. For example, one asks for an essay "on the nature of being" and another asking "what is being". That way the contest reduces to the cleverness of the request. Just a thought. :smile: — jgill

@jgill Sorry, I only responded briefly to the important point of how to deal with or use AI.

I don't know much about it. Apparently, students are finding it extremely useful in writing essays.
Instead of practising writing skills and coming up with own ideas.

How it can be used in education as a tool in EFL:
https://educraft.tech/chatgpt-a-game-changing-powerful-ai-for-efl-5-ways-to-use-it/

How to identify use of AI in an essay:
https://educraft.tech/identifying-ai-written-essays/

@Jamal Is there a TPF policy on AI - it's use and abuse?

The advice, as in writing short stories, is that before you write a philosophy essay, you should read a variety. How different topics are approached. Types of essay include the expository and the argumentative.

I haven't read a philosophy essay in a while. However, I have read articles in Philosophy Now. You can read 4 for free, per month: https://philosophynow.org/

For examples of essays in a wide range of philosophy categories:
https://1000wordphilosophy.com/all-essays/

Here's an 1,000 word essay in text and audio. In Philosophy of Religion:
https://1000wordphilosophy.com/2024/11/21/james-mystical-experience/

***
I'd be interested to hear from others as to what kind of philosophy essays/articles they have read or are attracted to. Also, if they have written one recently. What are the stumbling blocks to writing or reading an essay? What puts you off? Word count?

Any recommendations for websites with thought-provoking, substantive, exploratory articles?
Looking for inspiration and some heat. It's snowing out and I'm on the point of hibernation :yawn:

It's a nice idea. I hope it gets plenty of interest and participation. You and, if willing, Moliere (who is a moderator) can lead, and I'll do anything that you are unable to do yourselves, like creating categories. I suppose we need a new category; once that's created you can go ahead and post in it. — Jamal

Thanks, Jamal, for your support and approval. Much appreciated :smile:

I'm delighted to see that, so far,12 people have voted. To participate as:
Writer - 8%
Reader - 50%
Both - 42%

I hope that more can contribute their ideas and views. There are plenty things to consider and get as near a good fit as possible. To make it work and be attractive to all, or mostly all.

As for me taking a lead...

Yes, that would make sense. I am keen to follow this idea through - along with @Moliere and any others more experienced in the field. However...given my uneven participation in TPF for a variety of reasons - including poor health - I am not convinced of my reliability or capacity, at any given time.

As things stand, I have been resorting to audio rather than reading text. Hey, now there's an idea.
Podcasts?! Or possibly I could try text-to-speech.

My point is:
I think it would be an idea to have more than 2 'hosts' of this challenging activity.
Collaborating to ensure its success. Having no previous experience, I'm not sure how this would work.

I look forward to hearing from @Moliere as to his willingness and the next step. Thanks, again!

Thanks for your thoughts. I take it you would like the Activity to happen.

I hope others respond better than I can, right now. It's time for :yawn:
But perhaps - as in the Literary Activity - there could be a word limit set?

AI - I suppose could enter the picture but I'm not keen.
I want to hear the voice of human thought and creativity.

Good night!
Don't forget to vote. If you want the Activity to happen, click Yes not Maybe at 2nd question. My fault in formatting :smile:

I probably wouldn't write one, my essay skills have yet to evolve from early grade school (Paragraph 1: Introduction; Paragraphs 2 - 4: Three supporting reasons, Paragraph 5: Conclusion). — Outlander

That sounds like a perfectly good structure to me!

I think that the writing also depends on a person's approach to philosophy.
My idea would be for it to include more than the academic. There is a wide spectrum, as obvious in the threads. We are limited only by our imagination!

The variations in outlook are fascinating. The different ways of thinking.
I think it could be quite inspiring. If we take a theme, like the OPs 'Imagination' and run with it.

'Imagination’. We intend this topic to be understood broadly, so as to include related issues in any area of philosophy and from any philosophical tradition.'

got to remember running a competition requires a good amount of time and coordination. — Outlander

Yes, I know and appreciate all the effort that has gone into the Literary Activity over the years. It used to happen twice a year. I think a Philosophy Activity could fill a gap, very nicely. And not hosted by the same people, probably, so a lighter load.

I assume many of the TPF eldership have somewhat busy personal lives, holidays not helping — Outlander

It wouldn't be able to go ahead without the approval of admin @Jamal @fdrake and then the support of any mods or any other volunteers.

But, first, they would need to be persuaded that TPF posters think it is a good idea and would participate. Hence, the thread discussion and poll to show level of interest.

I hope others join in and let their views be known.

Didn't there used to be an "Articles" link at the top of the forum — Outlander

Yes.

Good idea either way. — Outlander

Hope you've voted! :smile:

Pretty sure fdrake would just win every time though — Outlander

No, he wouldn't. Even if he is a winner, the proposal - right now - is not to have a voting system.

I think feedback alone is enough, with maybe a thread after the fact where people share why they thought this or that essay was better, but it's not strictly a competition. — Moliere

Should we have a vote on it?

Thanks for all your support and ideas. I've enjoyed this more than I thought!

:yikes:
5 along. 2 down.
It actually says 'Yikes!'

Absolutely. My Goodness, I think I've found my soulmate :starstruck: :wink:

And the writers to be anonymous as in the Literary Activity, yes?
Guessing the author, part of the fun...at the end?

I think feedback alone is enough, with maybe a thread after the fact where people share why they thought this or that essay was better, but it's not strictly a competition. — Moliere

Yes, I totally agree.

Odd that this is relevant, and weird to quote myself, but in response to Janus question "Why doesn't the Nobel offer a philosophy prize?"" — Moliere

Gotta love the humour and truth of it all...
I think that hits the right tone. Serious fun. Sunning ourselves in pure enlightenment. Relatively speaking :fire: Cue lightbulb joke...

OK. I agree.

How do you think any evaluating/ judging would be done?
If a competition, then some kind of voting system? If a less formal 'activity', then would the feedback alone be enough?

I should probably have also asked:
As a participant would you give Feedback?
I think that would be important.

:up:

For all those choosing 'Maybe' what would it depend on?