Thought Papers

A collection of essay writing over the years...

  • From a young age, I have taken a keen interest in rationalising abstract concepts such as morality, knowledge, and the existence of life. While Theory of Knowledge (TOK) lessons in the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme expose me to the fundamentals of philosophy, I wish to pursue this interest even further through Philosophy Thought Papers. These papers strengthen my grasp of philosophical concepts, helping me to better understand the established viewpoints of famous philosophers, while value-adding with my own analysis.

  • I am deeply passionate about legislation, and more specifically, the formation of public policy. While participating in debate competitions and Model United Nations conferences may be generally beneficial to honing my policymaking skills, it is only through Legislation Thought Papers that I can truly see the intricate nuances of policymaking.

  • The study of how people make decisions based on scarce resources always fascinated me. When I first heard of economics, I was amazed by the subject’s ability to rationalise social problems through quantitative, empirical graphs and laws. Writing Economics Thought Papers takes this to the next level, providing me with the opportunity to try rationalising these phenomenon first-hand.

Philosophy & Legislation: Is Taxation Theft?

The dispute surrounding taxation has been prevalent for decades. Complexities arise as the taxation debate often entwines itself with other concepts, such as the validity of the social contract, along with taxation’s coercive nature. Taxation is often regarded as the antithesis of a capitalistic society, causing its legitimacy to come under fire in such countries. Consequently, its evolution has also been accompanied by numerous myths and fallacies, resulting in various schools of thought. This essay explores if 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 (i) an individual, (ii) the government, and (iii) 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

As Singapore matures and progresses as a country, changing economically and socially, so too does its populace. Notably, there have been two shifts in the socio-economic state of Singapore: an increase in tolerance for discourse and public discussion over issues and the shifts in social norms and stances between generations. Together, these represent a major change in the nature and demands of Singaporean society. This bill believes that relaxing the limits placed on public assemblies is the best way to accommodate the changing views of the public and allow for the opinions of the people to be expressed in a meaningful manner. It seeks to remove some of the limits placed on public assemblies, specifically the need to apply for a permit. The reform aims to ensure that any who wish to demonstrate peacefully in a non-disruptive manner may do so to raise awareness about their issues.

Written June 2024, Submitted to Moot Parliament Programme 2024

Economics: Education in an Automated World

The abilities of artificial intelligence (AI) are evolving at an exponential rate, with new applications continuously pushing the boundaries of human innovation on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, education systems are struggling to keep up with these technological developments and have grown ineffective in imparting the skill sets needed in the current labour market. Thus, it is evident that education systems must evolve to shifting labour market dynamics, imparting future-proof skill sets that will be valuable even amidst 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?

The epistemology behind belief formation has long been a passionate topic for discussion – are we able to control the creation of our beliefs? If so, to what extent should we then be held accountable for our actions, given that they are influenced by our beliefs? 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 believes in 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

When a contract has been frustrated, there are no winners. With the contract now impossible to perform, the real question lies in loss apportionment following the frustration of the contract. 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, through Section 1 of the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943 (“1943 Act”), the most extreme of cases will be prevented, 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