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:

This is a copy and paste from another thread. https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/comment/951085
From @Jack Cummins:

The problem which I see with philosophy essays on a forum such as this as they are too formal. Having written essays for courses, there is so much of having to go to source material and provide academically acceptable referencing. Some of this is done by links currently, but this comes with risks of online viruses. I am wary of links and use them sparingly (but I won't groan about anxiety about the health of my phone).

There is also the question as to how much people wish to log in and read essays on the forum. There may be a tension between chit chat and formal essays. I am inclined for something in between. I do read essays and books anyway but that is aside from forum. There are many here who take philosophy seriously as a creative endeavour but I am not sure that essay presentation is central to forum interaction. Some might be useful but I see the forum as a general sounding board for ideas rather than the best platform for essays. They would take up so much space and if it all became too academic it might deter from the creative process of exchanging the ideas as the raw materials of philosophy.

My quick response, there:

I agree that the word 'essay' is off-putting. However, the idea is not that they must be of the formal academic type. There are different types of philosophical writing. There is a wide definition of 'essay' - from its original French meaning: essayer - to try. I've written about that in the thread.

...source material and provide academically acceptable referencing.
— Jack Cummins

Yes. This project will not be as rigid. The aim is to simplify. The quotes used in this 'essay' event will not necessarily follow academic standards - but brief details like author and text page/s.

If you don't mind, I will copy and paste your thoughts to the thread. I don't wish to duplicate here. Thanks.

***
I will have more to say, later...

Another exchange:
From @Jack Cummins:

...it will be an interesting experiment. My only concern would be about its competitive nature and the war of egos. There has been so much of that in the creative writing competitions/activities.

My reply:

OK. I agree there are problems related to 'competition'. Been there, like you!
The question of 'competitive elements' is still to be fully addressed.
To have an 'in-essay' poll or an extra evaluative thread, like @Baden's proposed 'Favourites'.
It is to be viewed more as a 'Challenge' than a Competition.

It might not be a 'war of egos' as much as friendly rivalry between different forms, styles and philosophical interests. :pray: :cool:

@Jack Cummins - Looking forward to participating in the Literary Activity. Will you be there as a writer or reader? Both?

@Baden has been quite the inspiration. Hope the new 'Favourites' thread works out just fine :up:

I hope to participate as both reader and writer in the literary activity of December 2024, as long as no horrific 'black swans' deter me from that direction. I am hoping that it will be fun and a bit of a break but also complementary to philosophy too. It will be great if loads take part, although will keep us all busy over the holiday period.

With those or similar titles, I'd consider changing from read only to write maybe.
It actually starts sounding like fun.

@Jack Cummins and @Vera Mont et al. Thank you! :up: :flower:

With those or similar titles, I'd consider changing from read only to write maybe.
It actually starts sounding like fun. — Vera Mont

Fun, yes! It is to be enjoyed. But it's also serious. For academics and non-academics.
Taking all comments on board, here's an update for those considering level of participation:

Title: Philosophy Writing Challenge - June 2025
Topic: own choice
Word limit: min 500, max 5,000.

This is a chance for everyone to try something new. Philosophy for All. :cool:

This article gives examples of Philosophy Writing:
https://dailynous.com/2023/04/18/various-literary-forms-of-philosophy/

I don't see 'Articles' there but the Philosophy Now website and magazine gives ideas:
https://philosophynow.org/

The Guidelines are still a work in progress. To be kept short and simple to allow flexibility.
However, the important rules re submission will be as per TPF policy.
Announcement to be made by @Moliere around Feb 2025.
Submissions to be in by June 1st.

The guidance is for your benefit as writers or readers.
What advice or help would you want/need before taking part?
Questions and comments always welcome, thanks!

Just incase anyone is interested. I am looking to start writing philosophical papers for publication soon, so if anyone out there is affiliated with a university and wishes to collaborate on something do not hesitate to get in touch.

My interests are pretty broad, so anything that interests you will likely fall into my sphere of interest too.

Thanks

I am looking to start writing philosophical papers for publication soon, — I like sushi

Best wishes. Do well and let us know how things go! Hope you will bring some of your broad interests to the TPF Challenge in June 2025 but not, of course, anything published elsewhere. :up: :sparkle: