Survey questions

The 2020 PhilPapers Survey included 100 multiple-choice philosophical questions. We expanded the 30 questions asked on the 2009 PhilPapers Survey to a list of 40 main questions that would be asked of all participants, and added a further group of 60 additional (often more specialized) questions that would be asked of one-sixth of participants each.  As a result, each participant was asked to answer a minimum of 50 questions (40 main questions and 10 additional questions).  Participants were given the option of answering some or all of the other 50 additional questions if they chose to, with a maximum of 100 philosophical questions per participant.  About half of the participants completed 50-99 questions and half completed all 100 questions. The 70 new questions were selected through consultation with many philosophers from a wide range of areas.  For some reflections on the questions, see editors' thoughts from 2009 and 2020.

In addition to the 100 philosophical questions, the survey included questions regarding the philosophical background and demographic characteristics of respondents. The following information was collected:

  • Area(s) of specialization
  • Nationality
  • Country of primary affiliation
  • Country of PhD institution
  • Gender
  • Year of birth
  • Philosopher(s) identified with
  • Philosophical tradition

See the demographics results page for more detail.

List of philosophical questions