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...

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.

Did you read my thread: https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/15596/tpf-philosophy-competitionactivity-2025-/p1

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. — Jack Cummins

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.

Are you referring to the insect on the down right? I honestly thought it was a worm, but now I understand why it is more technical to say chrysalis because Kush might have been thought on a pupa. — javi2541997

Yes. See explanation: https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/comment/951076

I didn't think of it as a worm signifying 'death' because worms would be wriggling out of the apple.
The process of decomposition. The apple is juicy and thriving. It is why I thought of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Mother of creation, giving birth. A new life and spirit.

The use and abuse of symbols. Another thread of thought...

I tried to find the painting in the official Salvador Dali museum, and I couldn't find the apple. — javi2541997

Neither could I. That's what made me look further...curious as ever.

I am deeply sorry, because I misunderstood the original work of an artist with other's. Well, I will keep the apple in the thumbnail, either it is painted by Kush and inspired by Dali. — javi2541997

Please. Absolutely no need to apologise. It is easy to misunderstand, especially if others - like the blogger think the same. It stimulated thought and questions :fire:

What interests me. Was your interpretation influenced by the belief that it was Dali's?
And so, you viewed the 'insect' as a worm, instead of a chrysalis?
What we associate with a name or brand...see 'Apple', what do you think. The use of a symbol to 'sell'?

Thanks for the link. The painting as a symbol in itself. Showing the ripening of an artist's idea. Brilliant!
From: https://www.jacobgallery.com/vladimir-kush-green-apple

Before appearing in a new painting sparkling with wonderful colors, the ideas of an artist need a long time to ripen in mysterious depths of his subconsciousness. The life cycle of the butterfly could serve a symbol of this transforming a vague idea into the bright image. The ugly caterpillar changes into chrysalis to emerge finally as a beautiful butterfly. This phase of “chrysalis” hidden from man’s eyes invisibly exists in the picture. At this stage, the artist filters out false figures and finds his way. He gains strength and… take-off! The painter seems to feel the tips of his fingers transforming into brush, Salvador Dali says. Then the dormant torrents of self-expression suddenly awaken, and finally break through this chrysalis-skin filling the picture with their wings of color.

As viewers/readers we don't see the middle stage; the process from beginning to final product.
Also, writers can use silence, or gaps in the text itself, to give us a chance to use our Imagination. Not everything is shown or told. That's what makes a story 'work' for me.

I am so looking forward to the Literary Activity. Reading your story and those of others.
How varied the input...and output...hopefully, not all dark, despairing nightmares :smile:

About Kush: His thoughts, writing and videos. Showing and telling his story. His Metaphorical Voyage:

Kush Fine Art - gallery of paintings (6 mins well spent!)
https://kushfineart.com/
The World in the Mirror of Metaphor
https://kushfineart.com/about/

THE ARTIST'S CREDO
To reflect the world in the mirror of the metaphor - this is the goal of the artist. Metaphor does not only belong to linguistic communication but can also be found in our daily life. Metaphor is the means of communication that we live by. First of all, the metaphor is aimed at the viewer's feelings and subconscious. It gives full rein to imagination, as it is the imagination that creates the connections between two seemingly different things. "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge has its limitations, while imagination has no limits." ~Albert Einstein. — About the Artist - Vladimir Kush

Now I have an apple painted by Dali — javi2541997

Are you sure this was painted by Dali? I clicked on WebSearch and found it here:
https://freshpics.blogspot.com/2007/12/surreal-art-of-vladimir-kush.html

Look at the signature bottom right. That doesn't seem to be Dali's. But Vladimir Kush, yes?

Although his style is frequently described as surrealist, Kush himself refers to it as "Metaphorical Realism" and cites the early influence on his style of Salvador Dalí's surrealist paintings as well as landscapes by the German romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich. — Wiki - Vladimir Kush

The spooky curiosity remains after three years. — javi2541997

Wow! Another blast from the past :cool:

You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover - Bo Diddley



You can't judge an apple by looking at a tree,
You can't judge honey by looking at the bee,
You can't judge a daughter by looking at the mother,
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.

Oh can't you see,
Oh you misjudge me,
I look like a farmer,
But I'm a lover,
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.
[...]
You can't judge a fish by lookin' in the pond,
You can't judge right from looking at the wrong,
You can't judge one by looking at the other,
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.

I wonder if we are recognised on TPF due to our profile pic or just our username. Hmm... :chin: — javi2541997

Both? I recognise your name, first and foremost. I don't really associate you with the pic.
However, it is easier to pick out posts - increased visibility an' all that.

But isn't it what we write, how we can be read/misread that is important. To make clear and question our thoughts - in different ways.
We are associated with the ideas/beliefs we express. The threads and people we respond to.
Even when we might change our minds, along with our profiles. Or not.
First impressions count, no? Hence, the careful, creative choice of a book cover. But you know, you can't always judge a book by its cover...

Thanks for explaining more about Dali. And being a bit of an inspiration :halo: :cool:

Not sure about the 'bird' thing... but does it matter?

the profile picture is something curious — javi2541997

And some people don't even give it a minute's thought...

The blue flower belongs to your personality—hope and the pursuit of art. I honestly think it is better now than when you had that soulless 'A' in your profile. — javi2541997

Good to know I now have a 'soul' :wink:

I only ever saw the 'A' as a the first letter of 'Amity'. For 6yrs I didn't see any reason to change it.
What did it matter?

Recently, I had a shift in attitude. Why?
I realised that, compared to @Moliere's profile pic, 'A' was pretty much invisible.

In June 2025, we will be co-hosting a new and challenging TPF event.
To celebrate Creativity in Philosophy Writing. Imagination in Reading. To come together for some serious enjoyment. :cool: like the Eurovision Song Contest! :party:

The bland 'A' just wouldn't cut it. I needed to attract with a vibrant, new dress. It had to be blue.
'A' for Aesthetics comes into play.
Just like your 'Apple'.

It's not just an apple, though, is it? A butterfly is emerging from it, or through it. From a chrysalis.
Is this about Eve's plucking the forbidden fruit leading to knowledge? The Creation story in the Bible.

She decides to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil after she hears the serpent's argument that it would not kill her but bring her benefits. She shares the fruit with Adam, and before they could eat of the tree of life, they are expelled from the Garden of Eden, with Eve herself suffering imprecations, with her being subjected to additional agony during childbirth, as well as her subjecting to her husband Adam. — Wiki - Eve

To hell with this story :rage:
And the rotten, worm-infested fruit it still brings forth...
The idea that Woman=Sin. The opposite of 'Good'. The religious importance of birthing a child.
How dare women even think of abortion...they are still seen as being 'owned' by males.
And I'm not going to regurgitate the vile spewings of Musk.
How dare people want to know more? Knowledge is Power. Ignorance is bliss?
'A' for Art. We can create our own stories. Not be stifled by oppression.

Symbolism of the apple:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_(symbolism)

I don't know much about Dali but, like Eve, I want to know. A little:

Dali was both an art and science connoisseur. He held a particular fascination with the double helix, which appeared in many of his paintings, such as this painting - Landscape with Butterflies. Although the mere presence of DNA in Dali's paintings does not hold some deeper meaning, there was a logical reason that the helixes were included in this painting; Contrary to popular surrealism, the painting can be logically interpreted. — Dali paintings - Landscape with Butterflies

***

I changed my profile picture a lot of times. — javi2541997

Yes, along with a few others. I wonder why some people stick and others move on...
Anyway, I like your latest. And can't even remember what you had before!

I love apples and surrealism. — javi2541997

Your tomatoes will be jealous!
How do you interpret the painting?

Oh my, this was six years ago? — Dawnstorm

Yeah, I know. Unbelievable, right?! Good to talk with you again :up:

So it was about creativity in academic writing? — Dawnstorm

Pretty much. But not only that. The similarities and differences between philosophy and literature. Creativity in general. How we imagine and reflect on what we read and writng.

Looking back, this writing process stands out:

I keep notes when discovering by thinking. I than take those notes and try to get other people to comment on them, so I can think more clearly and develop my thoughts further. [...]
I think there is a positive feedback between reading and writing. I think it comes with a third variable, that feeds into it, which is one's own interest. I find that my newest ideas come to me when I am:

1) Reading and questioning what I read
2) Thinking and questioning what I am thinking
3) Discussing and questioning what others are thinking. [...]

Consciousness moves from one thought to another, entering and exiting, but it is my mind that makes a decision to follow some line of inquiry.

Discovery is different than ordinary thought/self inspection. Discovery comes about through inquiry into something you know that you don't yet know. And if you can ask a question that leads to discovery that no one knows, you may have potential literary pay-off. — Josh Alfred

Reading. Asking questions can lead to discovery. Following lines of inquiry or imagination. Objective or subjective. Both intertwining at different levels of awareness or consciousness in reading/writing.

***

I'm quite fond of chaos in literature...
... a certain brand of "creative writing" seminar style has taken over writing forums — Dawnstorm

Care to say more?

I was also a bit of a know-it-all and a prick back then; didn't much like my way of communicating any more.. — Dawnstorm

A bit harsh, no? We can all be prick-ish and think we're right. Difficult to let go of own ideas/beliefs when challenged. But wonderful to be surprised by an 'Aha!' moment when reading or listening.

I think my main point was that in writing short stories you're allowed to let your mind wander even if it doesn't go along with your original impetus of writing the story. The same process ruins a philosophical thought experiment. — Dawnstorm

Hmm. I see what you mean. However, the mind will wander/wonder no matter. When it comes to imaginatively creating anything. The creation of a thought experiment may well be more planned. As in a creative 'plotter' v a 'pantser'. But perhaps it can be a bit of both?
And, of course, the reader needs imagination to follow the story of 'what if's' in either scenario.
I don't think this 'ruins' a thought experiment.

I looked up Thought Experiment:

Some have placed “literary fiction on the level of thought experiments” (Swirski 2007, p. 6). There are two readings of such a claim.
According to the first, some literary fiction may be of cognitive power due to the fact that they are thought experiments. In other words, we shouldn’t outright reject the idea that literature can be of cognitive value. Dystopian novels such as Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World are obvious examples.
According to the second reading, the power of thought experiments is partially a function of the narrative that conveys it. The work of Novalis remains relevant for the exploration of this link between narrative development and thought experiment: experimental writing and experiments on imagined scenarios go hand in hand; words and thoughts coincide; mind and matter are entangled (see Daiber 2001). — SEP - Thought Experiment

[emphasis added]

Novalis - the name seemed familiar:

[He] was a German aristocrat and polymath, who was a poet, novelist, philosopher and mystic. He is regarded as an influential figure of Jena Romanticism.[...]
The fragment allowed him to synthesize poetry, philosophy, and science into a single art form that could be used to address a wide variety of topics.[...]
...he began thinking about how to incorporate his recently acquired knowledge of mining to his philosophical and poetic worldview. In this respect, he shared a commonality with other German authors of the Romantic age. [...]
He was known as the poet of the blue flower, a symbol of romantic yearning from Novalis's unfinished Novel Heinrich von Ofterdingen that became an key emblem for German Romanticism.[41] — Wiki -Novalis

Wow. This is a new discovery for me. Another writer/philosopher/scientist - like Goethe, a favourite of mine. And then, the mention of 'the blue flower'!!

I had no idea when I uploaded my profile pic (yesterday) of its symbolism. Yet, it's so 'right' for me!

A blue flower (German: Blaue Blume) was a central symbol of inspiration for the Romanticism movement, and remains an enduring motif in Western art today.[1] It stands for desire, love, and the metaphysical striving for the infinite and unreachable. It symbolizes hope and the beauty of things. — Wiki - Blue flower

Discovery. Processing something new. Things created or imagined in the mind...analysis, enquiry.
The brain wave for a story. The story creating waves...

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:

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.

Looking for inspiration re 'Philosophy Essay' and 'Creative writing', I discovered this thread I started 6 years ago. @Baden gave some excellent advice. One way to write a philosophical article:
https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/comment/243630

The similarity and differences in academic v non-academic writing:

I suppose there's a certain amount of creativity involved in academic writing etc., but there are also a bunch of rules and conventions and practices (e.g. re sourcing) that mitigate, sometimes very specifically, against creativity whereas traditional creative writing has much less of that and is much more driven by the imagination — Baden

I missed this:

I've always thought there's a great deal of overlap between thought experiments in philisophy and short stories. Every take on the trolley problem, for example, is a character waiting to happen. The biggest difference is that short stories are allowed, maybe even encouraged to spin out of control. — Dawnstorm

I agree that there is overlap. However, I don't think that short stories are 'encouraged to spin out of control'. TPF's Literary Activity ( previously Short Story Competition) is a case in point. The latest: https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/15585/literary-activity-dec-2024/p1

Something similar is planned for June 2025. Only it relates to 'Philosophy Essays'.
https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/15596/tpf-philosophy-competitionactivity-2025-/p1
I'm hoping to see a few pieces of philosophical writing venturing beyond the academic essay, important as that is. Still structured and exploring key philosophical ideas. Life issues...

It amuses me to see that, back then, I'd only written 50 posts!
Time and words. My, how they do fly :fire:

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...