Here is a list of 100 command prompts, or "analytical directives," for engaging in philosophical analysis, categorized by branch and method.
1. Core Concepts & Definitions (Semantics)
Define [concept, e.g., 'justice'] in its classical, modern, and postmodern sense.Identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for [concept, e.g., 'knowledge'].Distinguish between the conventional meaning and the philosophical meaning of [term].Trace the semantic evolution of the term [e.g., 'freedom'] through history.Unpack the ambiguities in the central question of [philosophical problem].Translate [a complex philosophical claim] into plain, simple language.Identify the core claim of [philosophical school, e.g., 'stoicism'].Clarify the distinction between [term A, e.g., 'a priori'] and [term B, e.g., 'a posteriori'].Analyze what [philosopher] means by their use of the word [jargon/term].Examine the ontology of [an abstract concept, e.g., 'numbers' or 'rights'].
2. Argument Analysis & Logic (Critical Thinking)
Identify the primary premises and the final conclusion of [argument].Reconstruct [philosopher's argument] in standard logical form (e.g., as a syllogism).Evaluate the *validity* of the argument (does the conclusion follow from the premises?).Evaluate the *soundness* of the argument (is it valid *and* are its premises true?).Identify any unstated assumptions (hidden premises) in [claim].Identify the primary logical fallacy in [statement] (e.g., Straw Man, Ad Hominem, False Dilemma).Distinguish between the deductive and inductive reasoning used in [text].Analyze the strength of the analogy in [argument by analogy].Formulate the strongest possible counter-argument to [philosopher's position].Determine if [the author] begs the question at any point in their argument.
3. Metaphysics (Reality & Existence)
Analyze the core arguments for [idealism, materialism, or dualism].Evaluate the problem of universals: do [concepts like 'redness'] exist independently?Debate the arguments for and against the existence of [free will].Analyze the implications of [determinism] for human responsibility.Critique the teleological (design) argument for [a creator].Critique the ontological argument for [a creator].Analyze the problem of evil as a challenge to [an omnipotent, omnibenevolent being].Analyze the philosophy of time: is the future as real as the past (eternalism vs. presentism)?Evaluate the core tenets of [existentialism] regarding existence and essence.Explore the metaphysical implications of [modern physics, e.g., quantum mechanics].
4. Epistemology (Knowledge & Belief)
Analyze the core arguments for [rationalism (e.g., Descartes)] vs. [empiricism (e.g., Locke)].Evaluate the strength of Descartes' "Cogito, ergo sum" as a foundation for knowledge.Formulate a response to the [Gettier problem] as a critique of "justified true belief."Analyze Hume's problem of induction: can we justify our belief in [cause and effect]?Critique the concept of "tabula rasa" (the blank slate).Evaluate the merits of [foundationalism] vs. [coherentism] as theories of justification.Debate the possibility of [objective truth] vs. the claims of [relativism/perspectivism].Analyze the philosophical challenge of [radical skepticism] (e.g., the brain-in-a-vat).Evaluate the role of [intuition] as a source of justification.Analyze Kant's "Copernican Revolution": how does the mind structure reality?
5. Ethics & Morality (Right & Wrong)
Apply a [utilitarian] framework to [a specific moral dilemma].Apply a [deontological/Kantian] framework to [a specific moral dilemma].Apply a [virtue ethics] framework to [a specific moral dilemma].Analyze the [Euthyphro dilemma]: is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it is good?Debate the [is-ought problem]: can we derive a moral prescription from a factual description?Critique the central claims of [ethical egoism] and [psychological egoism].Evaluate the claims of [moral relativism] vs. [moral absolutism].Define and test Kant's "categorical imperative" (both formulations) with an example.Analyze Nietzsche's critique of [Judeo-Christian morality] and his concept of "master/slave morality."Distinguish between [meta-ethics], [normative ethics], and [applied ethics].
6. Applied Ethics & Political Philosophy (Society)
Analyze the justification for [political authority]: why should anyone obey the state?Critique the "state of nature" as described by [Hobbes, Locke, or Rousseau].Evaluate the core principles of [social contract theory].Define [distributive justice] according to [John Rawls] and [Robert Nozick].Analyze Rawls' "veil of ignorance" as a tool for determining justice.Analyze Nozick's "entitlement theory" as a critique of [patterned justice].Evaluate the ethical arguments for and against [capital punishment].Debate the moral status of [non-human animals] using [Peter Singer's/Tom Regan's] arguments.Analyze the ethics of [artificial intelligence, e.g., autonomous weapons or moral algorithms].Critique the philosophical basis of [natural rights/human rights].
7. Aesthetics & Philosophy of Art (Beauty)
Define [beauty]: is it an objective property or a subjective experience?Analyze the function of [art] in society: is it cognitive, expressive, or formal?Distinguish between [art] and [craft], or [high art] and [low art].Evaluate the "intentional fallacy": does the artist's intention matter in interpreting a work?Analyze the concept of the "aesthetic experience" or "aesthetic attitude."Debate whether [a controversial work, e.g., 'Fountain' by Duchamp] qualifies as art.Critique Plato's argument in *The Republic* that [art] is a dangerous imitation.Analyze the concept of the [sublime] (e.g., in Kant or Burke) as distinct from the [beautiful].Evaluate the ethics of [artistic censorship] or [propaganda art].Analyze the relationship between [art] and [truth/knowledge].
8. Philosophy of Mind & Self (Consciousness)
Analyze the [mind-body problem]: how does the mental relate to the physical?Critique [Cartesian dualism] from a [materialist/physicalist] perspective.Analyze the "hard problem" of [consciousness] (Chalmers).Debate the problem of [personal identity] over time (e.g., the Ship of Theseus).Evaluate Locke's theory of identity based on [psychological continuity/memory].Critique Hume's "bundle theory" of the self.Analyze the concept of [qualia] (subjective experience) as a challenge to physicalism.Evaluate the argument for [functionalism] (i.e., the mind is what the brain *does*).Respond to the "Chinese Room" argument (Searle) as a critique of [strong AI].Analyze the implications of modern [neuroscience] for the classical concept of the 'self'.
9. Historical & Textual Analysis (Exegesis)
Compare and contrast [Plato's] and [Aristotle's] views on [metaphysics/ethics].Trace the influence of [Hume's empiricism] on [Kant's critical philosophy].Deconstruct the central argument in [a specific Platonic dialogue, e.g., *The Apology*].Analyze [Marx's] critique of [Hegel's idealism].Compare [Hobbes'] and [Rousseau's] view of the "social contract."Analyze [Simone de Beauvoir's] distinction between [sex] and [gender] in *The Second Sex*.Situate [philosopher's work] within its specific historical and intellectual context.Evaluate [Foucault's] concept of [power/knowledge] as a historical method.Compare [Eastern (e.g., Buddhist)] and [Western (e.g., Humean)] approaches to the [self].Analyze [Kierkegaard's] three stages of life (aesthetic, ethical, religious).
10. Thought Experiments & Synthesis (Application)
Formulate a new thought experiment to test the principle of [e.g., 'justice'].Analyze the ethical implications of the "Trolley Problem" and its variations.Analyze the ethical implications of the "Experience Machine" (Nozick).Analyze the epistemological implications of "Mary's Room" (Frank Jackson).Analyze the metaphysical implications of the "Ship of Theseus."Synthesize a new position from the [thesis] of [Philosopher A] and the [antithesis] of [Philosopher B].Apply [a philosopher's framework, e.g., Kant's] to a modern problem they never considered (e.g., [digital privacy]).Identify and critique [your own] most deeply held, unexamined assumption.Write a Socratic dialogue on the modern topic of [e.g., 'social media' or 'truth'].Formulate a coherent, defensible personal philosophy of [e.g., 'a good life' or 'human purpose'].
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