La dissertation - Philosophie - Terminale

Philosophy Dissertation Tips

In this section, the speaker provides tips for excelling in philosophy dissertations.

Understanding Philosophy Dissertations

• To excel in a philosophy dissertation, focus on how you argue rather than agreeing with the examiner.

• Emphasize on your ability to articulate arguments seen in class rather than overwhelming with numerous citations.

• The dissertation structure includes an introduction, 2 to 4 development parts, and a conclusion.

Analyzing the Dissertation Topic

• Analyze the dissertation topic thoroughly to grasp its essence and requirements.

• Understand key elements like politics, happiness, duty when interpreting questions such as "Why do we work?" or "Does the state ensure our happiness?"

Identifying Problematic Questions

This section focuses on recognizing different types of questions in philosophy dissertations.

Deciphering Question Types

• Differentiate between questions seeking definitions, possibilities, obligations, causes, and goals.

• Pay attention to all terms within a question to provide a comprehensive response and avoid going off-topic.

Developing Dissertation Structure

This part discusses structuring a philosophy dissertation effectively.

Establishing a Problem Statement

• Distinguish between the initial question and the underlying problem statement that requires exploration.

Philosophical Argumentation

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of using valid philosophical arguments based on reasoning, definitions, philosophers' arguments, course knowledge, or personal culture.

Valid Philosophical Arguments

• Avoid using appeals to authority or religious references in philosophical arguments.

• Justify ideas with logical connectors like "en effet" or "parce que."

• Incorporate concrete examples to strengthen arguments without being overly personal.

• Use transitions between paragraphs to introduce new ideas effectively.

Conclusion and Revision Tips

This section covers how to conclude an argumentative essay effectively and provides tips for reviewing and revising your work.

Conclusion and Revision Strategies

• Summarize key points in the conclusion without necessarily providing an opening for further discussion.

• Avoid vague responses like "it depends" as they do not resolve the initial problem posed.