Past Course
How to Write a Philosophical Argumentative Essay
For students aspiring to participate in the International Philosophy Olympiad and other prestigious global philosophy essay competitions.
Nowadays, besides the International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO), there are many other prestigious global essay competitions featuring philosophy topics. These competitions frequently require a philosophical argumentative essay.
1. Course Overview
The goal of the course is to prepare students for the International Philosophy Olympiad, but it applies equally to other competitions which follow a similar format, i.e. writing a philosophical argumentative essay.
During the course we will go through the basics of essay writing and argumentation, with short exercises along the way. Each student should write one philosophical argumentative essay by the end of the course. In the last meeting, we will cover these essays and discuss what was learned and what to work on in the future.
2. Timeline
- Week 1What is the International Philosophy Olympiad?
- Week 2The basics of an IPO essay
- Week 3How to analyze a topic
- Week 4Constructing a philosophical argument #1
- Week 5Constructing a philosophical argument #2
- Week 6Final discussion, essay feedback
Lecturer
Dimitrije Golubović
- Bachelor student of Philosophy at KU Leuven, Belgium
- Gold Medal, International Philosophy Olympiad 2023
- Second Prize, Cambridge Trinity College Philosophy Essay Prize 2023
- Honorary Ambassador title, Inspire Youth Journal
Participants
The 19 selected students are all promising young talents currently studying in middle school, high school, and university across Vietnam, India, Indonesia, China, Australia, and Nigeria.
- Many have earned internationally recognized writing awards, including:
- Very High Commendation and Shortlisted at the John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize
- Silver and Bronze Awards at the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society
- Honourable Mention at the Cambridge Re:Think Essay Competition
- Silver Prize in the Horizon Academic Essay Prize, organized by the Horizon Academic Research Program
- Honourable Mention for the Junior Scholars Essay Contest 2025, organized by Lumiere Education
- Inspire Youth Journal’s Edition of the Year 2025
- A final-year Philosophy Honours student at the University of Delhi (ranked #1 in India for Philosophy), also preparing for PhD entrance examinations.
- An UWC scholarship student and gifted school students.
Lesson Recordings
Lesson 1: What is the International Philosophy Olympiad?
Lesson 2: The Basics of an International Philosophy Olympiad Essay
Lesson 3: How to Analyze a Philosophical Topic
Lesson 4: Constructing a Philosophical Argument #1
Lesson 5: Constructing a Philosophical Argument #2
Lesson 6: Final Discussion & Essay Feedback