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 :sparkle:

For revision, if needed! Or if other ways are better, suggestions welcome :up:

How to Read Philosophy
https://philosophy.tamucc.edu/texts/pryor-guidelines-on-reading-philosophy

How to Write Philosophy
Includes 7 links - one pdf by the highly recommended Pryor.
https://philosophy.tamucc.edu/resources/writing

As a student, many years ago, I found Jim Pryor's Guidelines invaluable.

But I guess any TPF essay does not need to be of the academic type?
Your thoughts welcome...

I'd read philosophy essays if people submitted them. That's always been the problem before -- essays require more work than posts :D

:smile:
Yes, I wouldn't feel up to writing an essay - as yet - but would love to read them.

I am pretty sure that there will be some who would relish the challenge and good- natured rivalry. It would be less aggravation and more inclusive than a Debate. The Feedback would be interesting. :cool:

If the event took place in say June 2025 - there would be plenty of time...or sooner if passion kicks in :fire:

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

I clicked "Maybe", but probably should have said "Yes" -- if there are essays then I'd participate as a reader.

:up:

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

Yes, this is what I meant.

If anyone puts forth the effort then they can know that at least one person will read and comment.

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 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.

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?""

There is one, we're just still arguing over who has won it and what you get for winning and what it means to win in the first place.

Also, to ensure no one cheats, it's long been decided since Plato that no money will be given to the winner. — Moliere

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...

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

Sure!

That gets along with the notion that philosophy should be concerned with the ideas themselves rather than who says them.

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

Heh. Thanks. I looked for the blushing emoticon but didn't see it.

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

:yikes:

Didn't there used to be an "Articles" link at the top of the forum or did I imagine that also? Good idea either way. Pretty sure fdrake would just win every time though. He has an occupational advantage from what I've gathered. :eyes:

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

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?

Hope you've voted! :smile: — Amity

There ya are, one vote. :up:

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). Former English teacher once said to me: "Everything to write about has already been written, there is nothing new, only clever rehashing." He teaches philosophy at a major-ish university, last I was aware. I'm sure a few people here more intrepid than I could give him a run for his money, however. It'd be nice to see what gets submitted, that's for sure.

Other than that, got to remember running a competition requires a good amount of time and coordination. I assume many of the TPF eldership have somewhat busy personal lives, holidays not helping. Except for Jamal. We all know he's just wandering around trying to find more meat to velvet.

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.

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:

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:

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. — Amity

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.

Yes. No. As a reader.

He has an occupational advantage from what I've gathered. :eyes: — Outlander

What advantage is this? :eyes:

What advantage is this? :eyes: — fdrake

It was one of you guys who I read say something along the lines of "what I tell/teach/do with my students is..."

Academic background, I presume. :cool:

Academic background, I presume. :cool: — Outlander

In a former life. I work with young kids that need additional support.

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!