Ideas & guides
Think clearly. Argue well.
Philosophy, critical thinking, and how to start—free courses, Socratic dialogue, and argument mapping.
Articles by Jack Willis · Show all
- Getting started·7 min read
History of Philosophy: An Overview of the Main Periods and Traditions
A concise overview of the history of philosophy: ancient, medieval, early modern, modern, and contemporary periods, plus global traditions and where to go deeper.
Read article → - Concepts·7 min read
Ontology vs Epistemology: What’s the Difference?
Ontology vs epistemology explained: what each is, how they differ (what there is vs what we know), and how they connect in philosophy.
Read article → - Critical thinking·3 min read
Critical Thinking Exercises You Can Do Today
Five simple critical thinking exercises you can do right now: argue the other side, map one claim, question one assumption, and two more. No course required—just a few minutes and something you care about.
Read article → - Concepts·7 min read
Ethics vs Morals: Definition of Ethics and How They Differ
What is ethics? What are morals? Ethics vs morals explained: definition of ethics, how the terms differ, when they overlap, and where to go deeper.
Read article → - Concepts·6 min read
Continental vs Analytic Philosophy: What's the Difference?
Continental vs analytic philosophy explained: what each tradition is, how they differ in method and style, key figures, and why the split matters (and why it's blurring).
Read article → - Concepts·6 min read
Aristotle and the Golden Mean: Philosophy and Where to Start
Aristotle’s golden mean in plain language: what it is, how it works in ethics, and where to read more. A friendly intro to one of philosophy’s most enduring ideas.
Read article → - Concepts·4 min read
Epistemology for Beginners: What It Is and Why It Matters
An introduction to epistemology for beginners: what epistemology is, big questions (knowledge, justification, skepticism), and a first step with a free learning path.
Read article → - Getting started·3 min read
Best Free Philosophy Courses Compared (2025)
How free philosophy courses stack up: MIT OpenCourseWare, Coursera, edX, and schrodingers.cat. Honest pros, cons, and who each one is for.
Read article → - Tools·3 min read
Argument Mapping Software: Free Tools Compared
Free argument mapping software compared: Rationale, bCivic, and Argument Cartographer. Pros, cons, and who each tool is for.
Read article → - Critical thinking·3 min read
How to Learn Critical Thinking Online (Free)
Practical ways to learn critical thinking online for free: exercises, argument mapping, Socratic dialogue, and where to start today.
Read article → - Getting started·4 min read
History of Philosophy: How to Learn It With a Map
The history of philosophy is geography and time as much as ideas. Learn how an interactive philosophy map can show you who thought where, when, and how traditions spread—and how to use it.
Read article → - Tools·4 min read
Explore a Text: What Makes Our Philosopher-Lens Feature Unique
Paste text, a YouTube link, or a PDF—then analyze it through a philosopher’s lens. Depth, format, and multiple inputs make Explore a text tool built for serious readers.
Read article → - Getting started·5 min read
Free Philosophy Courses: How to Start Learning Philosophy
How to start with free philosophy courses: pick a path, try the quiz, or browse the forum. No signup required to explore.
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