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.

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:

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:

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/

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




...To get beyond good and evil.

If people who voted to participate writing want a topic then this is a good thread for it to be proposed in.

I'm hesitant to restrict it to a topic out front because of how little participation there's been in the past with respect to writing essays. So I'd want to keep it as open as possible to allow people with different interests to submit, unless the participants really want to focus in on a particular topic.

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.

But in terms of the setup my thought is to mostly copy it exactly because it seems to be working.

The working title: Imagination :sparkle: — Amity

A worthy topic indeed. :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:

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:

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?

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

Spirituality: Secular or Religious? — Amity

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

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. 

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

Personal narratives and philosophical speculations thereof. Don't write about Zen unless you are or have been a practitioner, e.g.

(In general, don't write about technical subjects, like QM, unless you have some expertise.)

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?

What would you like to write/read about? — Amity

Personal experiences relating to philosophical/mystical subjects. Not ramblings about dead philosophers. (My apologies to TPF members) :gasp:

Your preferences are noted.

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

Your help and support is much appreciated. I don't know if essay writing would fit under the Symposium category. :chin:

What was/is good about that: the encouragement and practice in 'Show us your fiction!'.
People posted and gave prompts for short stories: https://thephilosophyforum.com/categories/40/short-stories

That was all year round. You could say it acted as a warm-up for the Competition (now Literary Activity).
Stories are not just for Christmas!

I wonder if the new challenge of a yearly Philosophy essay event would benefit from that same kind of all-year round creative activity. To practice and submit philosophical ideas, share and exchange feedback.
'Show us your philosophy essays!' or Philo Pieces...
Perhaps not. It can be argued that this happens in TPF discussions anyway!

Essays are not just for exams!

'Essay' meaning an attempt to express and argue ideas in a structured way.
Readers interacting and giving feedback. The initially anonymous authors keeping quiet until it's their turn to comment on the feedback and answer any questions.

Didn't there used to be an "Articles" link at the top of the forum or did I imagine that also? — Outlander

Sorry for my brief reply of 'Yes'. I remembered it but couldn't remember the details.

You didn't imagine it. And it still exists. No longer linked to the top, but here:
https://thephilosophyforum.com/categories/24/article-submissions

Some interesting articles. And I think that can be the kind of philosophical writing that could well be included in next year's essay event. Given the broad definition of 'essay'.

From @Wayfarer:
https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/14685/the-mind-created-world/p1

Thanks for raising the question :up: