Philosophy consists of studying well-structured arguments and translates to your writing.
The discipline of philosophy requires constant weighing and evaluation of arguments, for both reader and writer. One must consider every perspective, counter-argument, and potential outcome of stating their position. This often involves looking at what has already been said, by whom, and how it relates to what you wish to say. We must also be able to think through and reject ideas, and be able to logically and effectively explain how we came to our conclusion.
It is the same for writers.
Good writing requires critical thinking and clear communication.
By examining, arguing, and thinking through philosophical writings, we are exercising the exact muscles we need in order to write well. Studying critical, well-structured writing results in your thoughts becoming more compelling and orderly.
Clarity in your words and tone.
Double-check the meaning of the words you use. I often see writers embark on arguments using specialized language, but rarely clarifying what they mean by some of the terms they use. Plato’s Republic is a response to the deceptively simple question “what is justice?”. The discussion begins with a definition of justice, which upon inspection breaks down, causing a consideration of truth, psychology, and reality, along with explorations of what education means and who determines who is able to define justice. For the writer, beginning with a clarification of the meaning of the words and terms you use will bring you reader on board and allow them to follow your thoughts more easily.
Use a thesaurus to help add variety to your vocabulary, but use the dictionary to ensure the word conveys the desired tone. Considering whether your audience is professional, lay, or somewhere in-between and the purpose of your writing (persuasive or informative, perhaps?) will help determine the tone you want to take. This also means learning the subtle differences in related words, and using them to lend the desired tone to your writing. I recently encountered the very closely related terms ‘proscribe’ and ‘prescribe,’ presenting me with a decision about the tone each word conveys. To proscribe means “to outlaw”, or “to condemn or forbid as harmful”. Prescribe describes the “laying down as a guide or rule of action”. The former gives a strongly negative connotation, while the latter lends positive, nearly casual tone. My decision was made when considering the informal nature of the piece. The ability to use the right word, appropriate in tone and audience, is what elevates good writing to great writing.
Use examples to illustrate and clarify your arguments. By giving examples or descriptions of the term in question, you give more context and demonstrate your understanding and ability to communicate effectively. Returning to the Republic, the title of the discussion comes from Plato invoking the example of a city in order to demonstrate the role of justice. By magnifying justice, and showing how it can shape and preserve an entire city, we see the role it plays in an individual.
Practicing analyzing and restructuring arguments helps you create clear, compelling writing.
Philosophy demands rigorous questioning and thinking from the philosopher and the reader. In college, my favorite philosophy professor referred to this process of reading as “arguing with the text,” meaning you must consistently ask questions about terms (What does the writer mean by x?), sequence (Why would b come before c? Does this make a difference in the writer’s position?), content (Is there another, unconsidered option?), and tone (Does a particular word dull or confuse the meaning of the sentence or context of the piece?). Imagine you’ve been asked to explain Plato’s cave analogy, in your own words and in Plato’s terms. First, we must understand the terms and words he used, as they have influence within the text, and more broadly in the influence of later philosophers. Second, we must be able to explain the meaning of the analogy itself, in our own words. This deepens your understanding and helps to analyze the argument from your own perspective. Finally, we must understand the context of the analogy. This is vital to understanding how the analogy fits into the larger text, and the author’s body of work, and also helps prevent misrepresenting either the meaning or the author.
Additionally, we must break down arguments into their most essential parts, and be able to reassemble them, using the author’s terms, as well as our own. By breaking down the argument, in two different ways, and presenting it ourselves, we demonstrate logical, sequential thinking. Having practiced the art of dissecting arguments, you will be able to build your own arguments which are well-developed, coherent, valuable, and appropriate for your reader. This clarity is vital in communicating well, and helps you to develop and present your ideas in a logical, sequential manner.
By studying philosophy, we strengthen our critical thinking skills, which results in clear, structured thinking and writing. Consistently improving is the only way to go from good to great writing!
