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Philosphy blog

Philosophical Journal or Blog

Overview:

Starting a Philosophical Journal or Blog is an excellent way to showcase your intellectual curiosity and leadership abilities. You’ll be responsible for both curating and contributing philosophical content, whether that's original essays, commentary on modern philosophical debates, or interviews with guest contributors. The journal could focus on ethics, political philosophy, logic, or other philosophical subfields, and it’s a great platform to engage other students and teachers in thoughtful discussions.

Why It’s Good for You:

  • Enhances Writing & Argumentation Skills: Writing regularly for the blog will hone your ability to present complex ideas in a clear, persuasive way, essential for Philosophy, Law, Consulting, and Public Policy careers.

  • Displays Leadership and Initiative: Organizing and managing a journal will prove you’re proactive, can work independently, and can lead a project, all of which are valued by top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, and the Ivy League.

  • Strengthens Your Application: This project directly aligns with your academic interests and gives you an edge when applying to competitive universities. You’ll stand out in your personal statement as someone who takes the initiative to create a platform for deep intellectual discourse.

  • Supports Your A-Level Studies: The Philosophy A-level will greatly benefit from engaging with these topics outside the classroom. Additionally, you can incorporate aspects of Politics, Psychology, Law, and Ethics into your journal.

How to Proceed:

  1. Choose a Platform:

    • Blog: You can start with WordPress, Medium, or Substack. These platforms are free, user-friendly, and provide professional designs. If you’re thinking about a physical journal, you might want to approach your school about printing costs and design assistance.

    • Journal: If opting for a physical version, create a digital version too. You can use platforms like Canva or InDesign for a clean layout and design.

  2. Define Your Content Focus:

    • The main topics you’ll cover should relate directly to philosophy and intersect with other fields like Law, Psychology, and Public Policy. You might write on:

      • Classical philosophers (e.g., Aristotle, Plato, Kant)

      • Modern ethical issues (e.g., AI ethics, climate change, political systems)

      • Thought experiments (e.g., the trolley problem, the Ship of Theseus)

      • Analytical essays on contemporary philosophical debates

  3. Recruit Other Contributors:

    • Involve your Philosophy teachers and other students in contributing essays or articles. Having guest contributors or interviews with external experts (such as university professors or ethicists) will bring added credibility and diversity of thought.

  4. Set Clear Guidelines:

    • Submission: Set clear deadlines for submissions. Create a submission page on your website or a physical submission form if you are running a print journal.

    • Review Process: If possible, have a peer review process for submissions. It ensures high-quality work and gives you insight into others' writing and argumentation styles.

  5. Branding and Design:

    • Title: Choose an intellectually stimulating name, such as “The Rational Mind,” "The Cogito Journal," or "Ethos & Logos."

    • Visual Identity: Use Canva to design a minimalist, academic logo and choose a sleek, professional font for your website or journal.

  6. School Promotion and Engagement:

    • Posters and Social Media: Put up posters in the school promoting the journal/blog. Use Instagram, Twitter, or the school newsletter to spread awareness. Organize events around it, like debate nights or philosophy discussions.

    • Launch Event: Host a school-wide event, like a philosophical discussion panel or a Q&A with guest philosophers. This could generate excitement and encourage contributions.

  7. Sustainability:

    • Plan for the continuation of the project beyond Year 13 by passing the journal/blog onto younger students. Have an editorial board (composed of students from Year 11–12) to maintain consistency and contribute articles.

Best Year to Start:

  • Year 12: This is the best year to start the project, giving you enough time to build a robust platform, recruit contributors, and develop content. Starting it in Year 12 allows you to have a comprehensive project to feature in your Year 13 personal statement and interviews.

  • Year 13: Starting the journal/blog in Year 13 would still be beneficial but more challenging, as your time will be stretched with A-levels. However, it could serve as a great final touch to show initiative and leadership before university applications.

How to Achieve It:

  1. Set Up the Platform:

    • Go to WordPress or Medium, and select a theme. Customize your site and ensure it's easy to navigate. Set up categories (e.g., Ethics, Political Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Book Reviews).

  2. Create Submission Guidelines:

    • Set clear instructions on how to submit, including the format (Word document or Google Docs), topic themes, word count, and deadlines.

  3. Engage with Your Teachers:

    • Ask your Philosophy and Politics teachers for their advice on structuring content. They might also help to review articles or provide feedback.

  4. Recruit Contributions:

    • Encourage Year 11–13 students to contribute articles. Ensure the topics are broad enough to capture various philosophical interests, but focused enough to maintain a clear theme.

  5. Promote:

    • Use school-wide emails, posters, and social media to attract contributors. Speak at school events or assemblies to generate interest.

  6. Host Discussions:

    • Host a philosophical debate or seminar to introduce the journal/blog and invite other students and faculty to contribute their perspectives.

How It Enhances Your University Application:

  • Oxford/Cambridge: Running a Philosophical Journal demonstrates intellectual curiosity, leadership skills, and an ability to engage in high-level academic discussion—qualities that are crucial for admissions to Philosophy, PPE, or Law courses.

  • LSE/UCL: The journal will also support applications to LSE or UCL, especially for courses like Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE), Law, or Public Policy. It shows a deep engagement with social issues and philosophical debate—highly relevant for these disciplines.

  • Ivy League: Universities like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford value initiatives like a philosophical journal because it showcases leadership, independent thinking, and the ability to contribute intellectually to the academic community.