Philosophy papers require an argument. That is, the writer must not only present her thesis, but also present an opposing thesis. The opposition should be presented fairly and not as a straw man argument. And then of course, a refutation of the opposition.
The word argue comes from French through Latin arguere but, back further, from the root arg, meaning bright or shining. Latin for silver is argentum with the element symbol Ag. The idea seems to be that an argument is a way of making clear a position. Elucidating.
Two Strikes 