Philosophy rewards those who read carefully, argue precisely, and write with clarity. The resources below support all three, from guides on how to approach a philosophy paper for the first time, to reference tools used by working philosophers, to undergraduate journals where strong student writing gets published. Use them alongside your coursework, not instead of it.
Guide to writing philosophy
Writing a good philosophy paper is difficult. FLC's philosophy faculty work hard to make it less so — because becoming a better writer is one of the most direct paths to becoming a better thinker.
While your professors will give you specific instructions for each assignment, these external resources provide guidance on reading and writing philosophy that applies across courses.
Philosophy references
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — The authoritative reference for philosophy online. Peer-reviewed, continuously updated, and free.
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy — An accessible alternative to the SEP, particularly useful for introductory topics.
- 1000-Word Philosophy — Over 220 short essays on philosophical questions, figures, and arguments, covering Western and non-Western traditions including Chinese, Islamic, Buddhist, and African philosophy.
- Early Modern Texts — Professor Jonathan Bennett's translations of early modern philosophical texts into contemporary English.
Graduate school Information
Professional organizations and periodicals
Undergraduate journals in philosophy
The following journals publish undergraduate philosophy writing. If you are interested in submitting your work, speak with your professor about preparing a manuscript.