Thought Papers

A collection of essay writing over the years...

  • Long before I encountered philosophy in a classroom, I was drawn to questions that resist simple answers - questions about right and wrong, real knowledge, and the meaning of existence. The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) lessons in the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme introduced me to the foundational philosophical tools and revealed the greater depth of these complex questions beyond the syllabus. To pursue this curiosity I write Philosophy Thought Papers, allowing me to dissect arguments in depth, test logical coherence, and place them in broader intellectual traditions. Close engagement with established philosophers sharpens my understanding of enduring debates and build confidence to challenge assumptions and advance original perspectives. Ultimately, this process turns abstract reflection into disciplined meaningful inquiry.

  • My interest in legislation goes beyond surface-level engagement. It is rooted in a deep fascination with how public policy is conceived, debated, and implemented. Debate competitions and Model United Nations conferences have sharpened my advocacy, negotiation, and rhetorical skills. However, they tend to prioritise persuasion over process. Legislation Thought Papers, in contrast, offer the intellectual space to examine policymaking in full complexity. I can trace how legal frameworks are constructed, observe how competing interests are balanced, and see how abstract principles become enforceable statutes. This form of writing lets me engage critically with real-world policy dilemmas, unpack institutional constraints, and gain a nuanced understanding of effective legislation in practice.

  • The study of how individuals and societies make decisions under conditions of scarcity has long fascinated me. Economics translates complex social problems into structured, quantitative models, all grounded in empirical evidence. When I was first introduced to the subject, I was struck by how abstract human behaviour could be analysed through graphs, data, and laws yet retain real-world relevance. Writing Economics Thought Papers elevates my interest from observation to application. These paper allow me to engage directly with economic phenomena by constructing arguments, testing assumptions, and analytically evaluating outcomes. In doing so, I move beyond learning theory to actively using it as a tool to rationalise and interrogate forces that shape real-world decision-making.

Philosophy & Legislation: Is Taxation Theft?

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The dispute surrounding taxation has been prevalent for decades. Complexities arise as the taxation debate often entwines with other concepts, such as the validity of the social contract and taxation’s coercive nature. Taxation is frequently regarded as the antithesis of a capitalist society, leading to its legitimacy coming under fire in such countries. Consequently, numerous myths and fallacies have shaped its evolution, giving rise to various schools of thought. This essay explores whether income tax can be considered theft in terms of (i) legal rights, and (ii) moral rights, while considering its relation to the three main stakeholders: (1) an individual, (2) the government, and (3) society at large in a capitalist society.

Written May 2023, Submitted to John Locke Global Essay Competition 2023

Legislation: Amending the Public Order Act in Singapore

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As Singapore matures and progresses as a country, changing economically and socially, so too does its populace. Notably, there have been two shifts in Singapore's socio-economic landscape: an increase in tolerance for discourse and public discussion of issues, and shifts in social norms and stances across generations. Together, these represent a significant change in the nature and demands of Singaporean society. This bill proposes relaxing limits on public assemblies to accommodate changing public views and enable people to express their opinions meaningfully. It seeks to remove some of the limits on public assemblies, specifically the requirement to obtain a permit. The reform aims to ensure that anyone who wishes to demonstrate peacefully and non-disruptively may do so to raise awareness of their issues.

Written June 2024, Submitted to Moot Parliament Programme 2024

Economics: Education in an Automated World

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The capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) are evolving at an exponential rate, with new applications continually pushing the boundaries of human innovation. Unfortunately, education systems are struggling to keep up with technological developments and have become ineffective at imparting the skills needed in the current labour market. Thus, it is evident that education systems must evolve to meet shifting labour market dynamics, imparting future-proof skill sets that will remain valuable even amid the advent of AI. This essay aims to address what new skill sets will be necessary in the 21st-century workplace

Written October 2024, Submitted to Harvard International Economics Essay Contest 2024

Philosophy: Are you responsible for your beliefs?

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The epistemology of belief formation has long been a passionate topic of discussion – can we control the creation of our beliefs? If so, to what extent should we then be held accountable for our actions, given that our beliefs influence them? The answers to these questions characterise doxastic voluntarism and involuntarism, two opposing schools of thought that seek to understand the human psyche behind belief formation. Specifically, this essay supports doxastic voluntarism and posits that individuals should indeed be responsible for what they believe.

Written May 2024, Submitted to John Locke Global Essay Competition 2024

Legislation: The Resolution of Frustrated Contracts

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When a contract has been frustrated, there are no winners. With the contract now impossible to perform, the real question is loss apportionment following its frustration. Neither party could have predicted the events leading to the sudden cancellation of the contract. At this point, there is much uncertainty surrounding who will be forced to absorb the costs of the preparations. Fortunately, under Section 1 of the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943 (“1943 Act”), the most extreme cases will be avoided, and both parties can rest assured that an equitable resolution will be reached.

Written January 2025, Submitted to The Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize 2025