Philosophy

Is your philosophy IA deadline looming, leaving you uncertain about selecting a suitable topic? This post is here to assist you in navigating through that challenge! Within this text, we present a variety of IA ideas accompanied by examples to initiate your writing journey. Our goal is to steer you towards fulfilling the IB criteria and maintaining focus throughout the IA writing process. Regardless of your specific interest within philosophy, the suggestions below are bound to offer options that align with your requirements!&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">Philosophy IA Ideas</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ol><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/64b99585c0741a00129dec9b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Selfless behaviour:</a> In this topic, you can explore whether humans can ever behave selflessly. This can be evaluated against the theory of Psychological Egoism which states that humans are unable to behave selflessly.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/64df8334b6f669f4a3d5b2b9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Illusion of dichotomy:</a> Through this exploration, you can look at whether humans act based on free will versus based on determinism. You can explore whether a person's choices are solely their own, or if everything plays out according to a set destiny.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/64b0417eb38ec100134ba7c8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Absolute freedom:</a> Within this exploration, you could analyze the role of biological traits on free will, and if there is such a thing as absolute freedom or if our innate characteristics always constrain our choices.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/64c100d2f8603e0013d65799" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Morality of suicide:</a> Looking at this topic, you could explore whether suicide is morally permissible or even morally required in some extraordinary circumstances.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/62fa83fdbf877e001371503c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Use of the word "woman":</a> In this topic, you could look at the extent to which the word "woman" is biologically determined - is it wholly biologically determined or is it a product of social conditioning?&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/62d46643efe3ca0013f9a676" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Discussions of morality:</a> Through this analysis, you can explore two different perspectives of morality such as moral realism and anti-realism, as well as if the whole concept of morality is an error.</li></ol>&nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre>&nbsp;<ol start="7"><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/6418b526e1d1550013668a66" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mind and body:</a> Looking at this topic, you could investigate the Cartesian and Nietzschean notions of mind and body interaction, by exploring the mind and body and both separate and interconnected entities.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/64a6f4d1701b5600139b42ae" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Toy Story and free will:</a> Within this topic, you could analyze the extent to which the toys in Toy Story can be considered people based on whether or not they have free will.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/6202decd59dfc50013182a98" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ethics of security technology:</a> In this exploration, you could look at whether new security technologies are necessary and ethical, based on factors like the privacy of individuals subjected to this technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/62d1b7af8c5db80013f0426c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The morality of a character's behaviour:</a> Through this analysis, you could evaluate the morality of a character's actions in a movie or TV show episode.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/philosophy/61b0ad094869b1001385d577" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Machines as people:</a> In this topic, you can explore the extent to which a machine can be considered a person, or whether it is simply a piece of technology.</li></ol>&nbsp;&nbsp;For more IA ideas and a deeper insight into how to structure your IAs, head to the <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a> website where you will be able to find numerous <a href="/ia/philosophy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">philosophy</a> IA topics as well as exemplar IAs that you can refer to during your writing process!

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A comprehensive list of 11 philosophy IA internal assessment topic ideas along with explanations and examples. See what can be done and use this as inspiration for your own topic. 

Philosophy IA Topic Ideas + Examples

Do you need some guidance in preparing for your IB Philosophy exams or writing your IA and are wondering how you can maximize your score? This post is here to help you identify the grade boundaries so you can plan yourself accordingly. Keep in mind that these values change from session to session and hence are only an indicator of the approximate marks you would need for a certain grade, but feel free to use this guide as a planning tool!&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Philosophy Grade Boundaries</h2>&nbsp;The following grade boundaries are based on official IB May 2025 grade boundaries.&nbsp;<h3>Standard level</h3>&nbsp;<figure class="table" style="width:97.6%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:16.82%;"><col style="width:19.63%;"><col style="width:20.16%;"><col style="width:20.63%;"><col style="width:22.76%;"></colgroup><thead><tr><th colspan="5">Points needed</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Grade</td><td>Paper 1</td><td>Paper 2</td><td>IA</td><td>Final grade (%)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>0-6</td><td>0-5</td><td>0-3</td><td>0-14</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>7-12</td><td>6-10</td><td>4-7</td><td>15-29</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>13-18</td><td>11-12</td><td>8-11</td><td>30-41</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>19-25</td><td>13-14</td><td>12-14</td><td>42-53</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>26-31</td><td>15-17</td><td>15-18</td><td>54-66</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>32-38</td><td>18-19</td><td>19-21</td><td>67-78</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>39-50</td><td>20-25</td><td>22-25</td><td>79-100</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Higher level</h3>&nbsp;<figure class="table" style="width:98.79%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:14.82%;"><col style="width:17.29%;"><col style="width:17.82%;"><col style="width:18%;"><col style="width:12.45%;"><col style="width:19.62%;"></colgroup><thead><tr><th colspan="6">Points needed</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Grade</td><td>Paper 1</td><td>Paper 2</td><td>Paper 3</td><td>IA</td><td>Final grade (%)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>0-9</td><td>0-4</td><td>0-4</td><td>0-3</td><td>0-14</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>10-18</td><td>5-8</td><td>5-8</td><td>4-7</td><td>15-28</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>19-27</td><td>9-11</td><td>9-11</td><td>8-11</td><td>29-41</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>28-37</td><td>12-14</td><td>12-13</td><td>12-14</td><td>42-53</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>86-46</td><td>15-16</td><td>14-16</td><td>15-18</td><td>54-65</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>47-56</td><td>17-19</td><td>17-18</td><td>19-21</td><td>66-76</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>57-75</td><td>20-25</td><td>19-25</td><td>22-25</td><td>77-100</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope that this guide helps you in planning your studies and IA preparation. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:justify;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Also, make sure to visit <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:justify;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Clastify</a><a class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-inherit MuiLink-root MuiLink-underlineHover css-16r75hj" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 171, 85);font-family:&quot;Public Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;text-align:justify;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.clastify.com/" node="[object Object]"> </a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:justify;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">for tons of free IA examples. Good luck!

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A comprehensive list of IB Philosophy grade boundaries for Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3, and the IA. See what the boundaries are and use this to plan your studying accordingly. 

IB Philosophy Grade Boundaries

<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;" dir="ltr">Philosophy IA word count and page limit&nbsp; &nbsp;</h2>Are you starting to write your Philosophy IA? We know this process can be tricky therefore we prepared a short guide to help you get started. Continue reading this post to make sure your investigation follows the formal requirements.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;This internal assessment is a philosophical analysis of a chosen stimulus. As a philosophy student, you should identify and analyse a philosophical issue raised by the stimulus. When it comes to the formal requirements, your IA can be at most 2000 words, there is no page limit.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">Stimulus description&nbsp;</h3>You have to provide a copy of the analysed stimulus with your IA. If it exceeds 200 words or is in a form different than text (movie extract, radio recording etc.), you have to describe it in a maximum of 200 words. This part is not included in the word count, same as the bibliography and references.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">Introduction&nbsp;</h3>Begin your essay with around 300 words of introduction. Present the subject of your exploration, clearly identify the issue raised by the stimulus, and provide a sufficient justification of the connection between them.&nbsp;Utilize this section to offer background information regarding the stimuli, introducing the examiners to the context of your exploration. Also, define the key concepts or theories relating to the topic of your analysis.&nbsp; &nbsp;Check out <a href="/ia/philosophy/64b0417eb38ec100134ba7c8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this exemplar</a> for inspiration.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">Analysis and evaluation</h3>Your response should contain a developed analysis of the chosen philosophical issue.&nbsp;You should apply a well-structured argumentative framework&nbsp;consisting of supportive arguments but also convincing counterarguments. Support each of them with an example or a suitable reference. In this section, you can demonstrate your extensive knowledge of different areas of philosophy and deep understanding of the issue. Don’t forget about the appropriate use of the specific terminology and to properly justify each point of view. This should be the longest part of your exploration and take up around 1,500 words.&nbsp; &nbsp;You can read a perfectly structured analysis <a href="/ia/philosophy/62fa83fdbf877e001371503c " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;<pre style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre>&nbsp;<h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">Conclusion&nbsp;</h3>After having demonstrated the different perspectives on the philosophical issue raised by the stimulus, synthesize and evaluate them. State which argument you find most persuasive and why. Inform about the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen approaches in the analysis. Remember, not to add any new arguments here to make sure that the conclusion stays consistent with the previous parts of the exploration (and that enough justification is provided for every point of view). Devote the remaining 200 words for this final section.&nbsp; &nbsp;Take a look at <a href="/ia/philosophy/64a6f4d1701b5600139b42ae " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this conclusion.</a>&nbsp;The above word allocation between the different sections of the internal assessment is based on the received marked exemplars. We recommend to stick to this structure because it also reflects the assessment criteria and how many points are awarded for specific aspects of the essay.&nbsp; &nbsp;Are you in need of more <a href="/ia/philosophy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">philosophy exemplars</a> to support your writing process? Don’t hesitate to check out the <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify website</a>, where you can find numerous IAs from different subjects. For other available guides head to our blog!

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A comprehensive guide to Philosophy IA word count and page limit. Make sure that your essay follows the formal requirements! 

Philosophy IA word limit and page count 

Paper 1 is the first examination you'll face in your IB Philosophy assessments. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Philosophy Paper 1, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Philosophy Paper 1</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>For SL, Paper 1 contributes 50% to the overall subject grade, while for HL, it accounts for 40%</li><li>SL students have 1 hour 45 minutes, while HL students are given 2 hours 30 minutes to complete Paper 1</li><li>Paper 1 is an extended response paper.&nbsp;</li><li>Students answer one stimulus-based question on the core theme and one question on an optional theme.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;Students may expect the Paper 1 questions to look the following way:&nbsp;Core theme: What is a human being?&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Read the following passage and develop your response as indicated below.&nbsp;&nbsp;‘”Animal” is a negative term, but only because man has been made inappropriately privileged. It has been argued that whereas the traditional view supports Hamlet’s exclamation, “How like a god,” Pavlov emphasizes “How like a dog.” But is that a step too far? A god is the archetypal pattern of an explanatory fiction, of a miracle-working mind, of the metaphysical. Man is much more than a dog, but like a dog he is within the range of scientific analysis.&nbsp;Write a response (of approximately 800 words) in which you:&nbsp;<ul><li>identify a central philosophical concept or philosophical issue in this passage that addresses the question, “what is a human being?”</li><li>investigate two different philosophical approaches to the philosophical concept or philosophical issue you identified</li><li>explain and evaluate the philosophical concept or philosophical issue you identified.</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Optional Theme 2: Theories and problems of ethics&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Evaluate the claim that for utilitarianism the purpose of ethics is the increase of happiness.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Philosophy Paper 1 tips</h3>&nbsp;To do well in IB Philosophy Paper 1, it’s important to understand the command terms and make sure you’re answering exactly what the question is asking. Whether you need to describe, explain, or evaluate, your response should match the specific requirements of the question. Start by defining key concepts clearly to show your understanding from the beginning. Your answer should be well-organized and use clear, precise language suited to philosophy. You need to show a good understanding of relevant philosophical issues, analyse and evaluate key ideas and arguments, and use examples to support your points. It’s also important to consider counter-arguments to show a balanced perspective. Finally, make sure to include a clear and thoughtful personal response that directly relates to the question.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a>.&nbsp;

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A comprehensive guide to IB Philosophy Paper 1. Learn about Paper 1 structure, duration, weighing, and the questions you may encounter. 

IB Philosophy Paper 1

Paper 2 is the second examination you'll face in your IB Philosophy assessments. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Philosophy Paper 2, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Philosophy Paper 2</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>For SL, Paper 2 contributes 25% to the overall subject grade, while for HL, it accounts for 20%</li><li>Both SL and HL students have 1 hour to complete Paper 2.</li><li>Paper 2 is an extended response paper.</li><li>Students answer 1 question based on a prescribed text.</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;Students may expect the Paper 2 questions to look the following way:&nbsp;Simone de Beauvoir: The Second Sex, Vol.1 part 1, Vol. 2 part 1, and Vol.2 part 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;<ol><li>(a) Explain why private property is the ''great historical defeat of the female sex'' [10]</li></ol>&nbsp;(b) Evaluate why private property is the ''great historical defeat of the female sex'' [15]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Philosophy Paper 2 tips</h3>&nbsp;To do well in IB Philosophy Paper 2 you need a strong understanding of the text’s key ideas, themes, and arguments so make sure you have a deep understanding of the text before the exam. Make sure that your answer is analytical, especially when dealing with an ''evaluate'' question. This means you must go beyond explanation and consider different viewpoints, strengths, and weaknesses of the argument. A strong response includes both the philosopher’s ideas and possible counterarguments.&nbsp;&nbsp;Structure your essay clearly: start with an introduction that outlines your argument, develop your points in well-organized paragraphs with analysis, and conclude by reinforcing your main ideas. You have only 1 hour to complete this paper so it is crucial you manage your time wisely. Creating and following a plan can be helpful in ensuring that you stay focused and don't run out of time.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a>.&nbsp;

A comprehensive guide to IB Philosophy Paper 2. Learn about Paper 2 structure, duration, weighing, and the questions you may encounter. 

IB Philosophy Paper 2

Paper 3 is the final exam for IB Philosophy HL students, marking the last challenge in your IB Philosophy assessment. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Philosophy Paper 3, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Philosophy Paper 3</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Paper 3 is an HL-only paper</li><li>Accounts for 35% of the student's subject grade.</li><li>Students have 1 hour 15 minutes to complete Paper 3.&nbsp;</li><li>Students respond to an 800 word unseen philosophical text.&nbsp;</li><li>The 800 word text is based on the HL extension topic (Philosophy and contemporary issues).</li><li>Students can score up to 45 marks.&nbsp;</li><li>Students answer three questions, each worth 15 marks.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;A typical Paper 3 question may look the following way:&nbsp;Read the text below then write a response to it (of approximately 800 words). Your response is worth [30 marks]. In your response include:<ul><li>a concise description of philosophical activity as presented in the text</li><li>an exploration of the pertinent issues regarding philosophical activity raised in the text, relating this to your experience of doing philosophy throughout the whole course</li><li>appropriate references to the text that illustrate your understanding of philosophical activity</li><li>your personal evaluation of the issues regarding philosophical activity raised in the text.</li></ul>&nbsp;What philosophy is and how much it is worth are matters of controversy. One may expect it to yield extraordinary revelations or one may view it with indifference as a thinking in the void. One may look upon it with awe as the meaningful endeavour of exceptional people, or despise it as the superfluous broodings of dreamers. For the scientific-minded, the worst aspect of philosophy is that it produces no universally valid results; it provides nothing that we can know and thus possess. Nor is philosophical thought, like the sciences, characterized by progressive development.&nbsp;&nbsp;It lies in the very nature of philosophy, as distinguished from the sciences, that in any of its forms it must dispense with the unanimous recognition of all. The certainty to which it aspires is not of the objective, scientific sort, which is the same for every mind; it is an inner certainty in which one’s whole being participates. Whereas science always pertains to particular objects, the knowledge of which is by no means indispensable to all, philosophy deals with the whole of being which concerns humanity as humanity, with a truth which, wherever it is manifested, moves us more deeply than any scientific knowledge.&nbsp;&nbsp;Philosophy is indeed bound up with the sciences. It always reckons with the most advanced scientific findings of its time. But essentially philosophy springs from a different source. It emerges before any science, wherever people achieve awareness.&nbsp;&nbsp;The existence of such a philosophy without science is revealed in several striking ways. In philosophical matters almost everyone believes him/herself capable of judgment. Whereas it is recognized that in the sciences study, training and method are indispensable to understanding, in philosophy people generally assume that they are competent to form an opinion without preliminary study. Philosophical thought must always spring from free creation. Everybody must accomplish it for him/herself. Since we cannot avoid philosophy, it is always present: in the proverbs handed down by tradition, in popular philosophical phrases, in dominant convictions such as are embodied in the idiom of the “emancipated”, in political opinions, but most of all, since the very beginnings of history, in myths. There is no escape from philosophy. The question is only whether a philosophy is conscious or not, whether it is good or bad, muddled or clear. Anyone who rejects philosophy is themselves unconsciously practising a philosophy.&nbsp;&nbsp;What then is this philosophy, which manifests itself so universally and in such strange forms? The Greek word for philosopher (philosophos) connotes a distinction from sage (sophos). It signifies the lover of wisdom (knowledge) as distinguished from those who considers themselves wise in the possession of knowledge. This meaning of the word still endures: the essence of philosophy is not the possession of truth but the search for truth, regardless of how many philosophers may belie it with their dogmatism, that is, with a body of dogmatic principles claiming to be definitive and complete. Philosophy means to be on the way. Its questions are more essential than its answers, and every answer becomes a new question.&nbsp;&nbsp;But this on-the-way-ness – humanity’s destiny in time – contains within it the possibility of deep satisfaction, and indeed, in exalted moments, of perfection. To be searchingly on the way – or to find peace and the fulfillment of the moment – these are no definitions of philosophy. There is nothing above or beside philosophy. It cannot be derived from something else. Every philosophy defines itself by its realization. We can determine the nature of philosophy only by actually experiencing it. Philosophy then becomes the realization of the living idea and the reflection upon this idea, action and discourse on action in one. Only by thus experiencing philosophy for ourselves can we understand previously formulated philosophical thought.&nbsp;&nbsp;Must philosophy then justify itself? That is impossible. It cannot justify itself on the basis of a something else for which it is useful. It can only appeal to the forces in each of us which drive us towards philosophical thought. It is a disinterested pursuit, to which questions of utility or injuriousness have no relevance, an endeavour proper to humanity as humanity, and it will continue to fulfil this striving as long as there are people alive. Even those groups which are hostile to it cannot help harbouring their own peculiar ideas and bringing forth pragmatic systems which are a substitute for philosophy, though subservient to a desired end – such as Marxism or fascism. The existence of even these systems shows how indispensable philosophy is to humanity. Philosophy is always with us.&nbsp;&nbsp;Philosophy cannot fight, it cannot prove its truth, but it can communicate itself. It offers no resistance where it is rejected; it does not triumph where it gains a hearing. It is a living expression of the basic universality of humankind, of the bond between all people.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>How to succeed</h3>&nbsp;To succeed in IB Philosophy Paper 3, you must engage critically with the stimulus text by offering a clear explanation of the author's view, connecting it to your own experience of studying philosophy, and providing a personal evaluation. In the example above, the focus is on understanding what philosophical activity is, as presented in the text, and reflecting on its broader implications. &nbsp;&nbsp;Begin your response with a brief summary of how the author defines the subject in question (in this case, philosophical activity). In the provided example, philosophy is described not as the possession of truth, but as an ongoing search for meaning. It is deeply personal, universal, and distinct from science – it does not provide objective knowledge.&nbsp;Your first body paragraph should explore this view in more depth, using direct references to the text. Highlight key contrasts made, such as philosophy vs. science, or conscious vs. unconscious philosophy. For example, you might analyse the claim that “There is no escape from philosophy,” and explain how that shapes the author's argument about philosophy’s necessity. &nbsp;&nbsp;Next, relate the ideas to your own learning throughout the course. Reflect on how your study of topics like ethics, or the HL extension has shown you philosophy’s open-ended and critical nature. Did you find that philosophy raised more questions than answers? Have your views evolved through discussion and challenge, as the text suggests philosophy should? &nbsp;&nbsp;In your evaluation, assess the strengths and limitations of the author's claims. Do you agree that philosophy’s value lies in its disinterested nature? Or has your experience shown that philosophy can have practical, social, or political value too? You can reference other thinkers – such as for example Kant to support or question the text’s claims. &nbsp;&nbsp;Conclude by reaffirming your understanding of the subject in question, shaped by both the text and your experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Throughout, keep your writing focused, analytical, and personal. Use quotes meaningfully, structure your argument clearly, and demonstrate your ability to think philosophically i.e. always engaging with the text, the course, and your own views.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a>.&nbsp;

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A comprehensive guide to IB Philosophy Paper 3. Learn about Paper 3 structure, duration, weighing, and the questions you may encounter. 

IB Philosophy Paper 3 

IB Philosophy challenges students to explore fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, and human existence through critical thinking and philosophical inquiry. The course develops analytical skills by examining key philosophical concepts, arguments, and perspectives from various philosophical traditions.

IB Philosophy

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IB Philosophy Paper 3

Philosophy IA Topic Ideas + Examples

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Philosophy IA word limit and page count

IB Philosophy Paper 1

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IB Philosophy Paper 3

Philosophy IA Topic Ideas + Examples

IB Philosophy Grade Boundaries

Philosophy IA word limit and page count

IB Philosophy Paper 1

IB Philosophy Paper 2

IB Philosophy Paper 3

2,685 students

4.9 average grade

Difficulty

Grade distribution