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Philosophy Extended Essay Guide
A guide to writing a rigorous, well-argued IB Philosophy Extended Essay with clear logical structure and philosophical depth.
What is a Philosophy Extended Essay?
The Philosophy Extended Essay (EE) is one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the IB Diploma. Below you will find everything you need to choose a strong topic, design your methodology, and write a high-scoring EE in Philosophy.
Word Count
3,500 – 4,000 words
Excluding bibliography, abstract, and appendices. Budget every section carefully before you start writing.
Assessment
Graded A–E
Combined with the TOK essay for up to 3 bonus IB Diploma points. A strong EE and TOK = maximum bonus.
Timeline
12–18 months
From initial topic to final submission. Most students underestimate this. Start early and plan backwards from your deadline.
Supervision
3 required meetings
Initial, interim, and final (viva voce). Each requires an RPPF reflection. Your supervisor approves your RQ.
Strong Philosophy EE Topic Ideas
| Topic Idea | Why It Works | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| To what extent does Peter Singer’s preference utilitarianism justify animal rights? | Applied ethics, clear philosophical framework | Medium |
| Is Kant’s categorical imperative a sufficient basis for establishing universal moral duties? | Deontological ethics, Kant scholarship | Hard |
| To what extent does Descartes’ method of radical doubt successfully establish the foundations of knowledge? | Epistemology, rationalism, classic text | Medium |
| Is compatibilism a satisfactory resolution to the free will-determinism debate? | Metaphysics, classic philosophical debate | Hard |
| To what extent does John Rawls’ veil of ignorance provide a just basis for social contract? | Political philosophy, distributive justice | Medium |
| Is Plato’s Theory of Forms a plausible account of reality? | Metaphysics, Platonic philosophy, accessible entry point | Easy |
Subject-Specific Advice
Philosophical Texts
Engage with primary sources
Read Kant, Mill, Descartes, Rawls, Plato in the original (or reliable translations). Do not rely only on secondary summaries. Quote and analyse philosophical texts directly.
Logical Structure
Argument, not assertion
Every claim must be supported by a logical argument (premise → premise → conclusion). “I think that…” is not philosophical analysis.
Counter-arguments
Steel-man the opposition
Present the strongest possible version of the counter-argument before refuting it. A Philosophy EE that ignores opposing views scores in the lower bands.
Define Your Terms
Philosophical precision
Define every key philosophical term at the outset (consciousness, free will, justice, knowledge). Philosophical disputes often hinge on how terms are defined.
Assessment & Common Mistakes
Assessed on: philosophical knowledge, quality of argument, logical rigour, and critical engagement with counter-arguments. Philosophy rewards precision, logic, and engagement with primary texts. Personal opinion without philosophical reasoning earns very low marks.
⚠ Common Pitfall
Students write personal opinion pieces rather than philosophical arguments. Philosophy requires you to reason from defined premises to logical conclusions — not to state what you personally believe. Every claim needs a logical warrant, and every argument needs to engage with counter-arguments.
Philosophy EE Checklist
- ✓ My RQ is a specific philosophical question — not a broad topic like “ethics” or “free will”
- ✓ I have read at least one primary philosophical text relevant to my question
- ✓ I define all key philosophical terms clearly at the outset
- ✓ Every argument follows a logical structure (premises + inference + conclusion)
- ✓ I present and refute the strongest counter-argument (steel-manning)
- ✓ My conclusion states the philosophical position I have argued for and acknowledges its limitations
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