As /r/askphilosophy grows, the number of poor comments has ballooned. In an effort to retain a good ratio of high-quality comments, the mods are going to be more strict in enforcing commenting standards.

In general, we're looking for informed, patient, detailed answers from people who have some familiarity with the issues and relevant literature. If this is you, then by all means comment and request flair.

If you lack sufficient familiarity with the relevant issues, you should not be answering. At no point should a comment begin, "Well, I don't know much about academic philosophy but...." In the same vein, r/askphilosophy is not a place for dismissive answers, sweeping generalizations, memes, or tired jokes.

Here's the upshot: If you are qualified to answer, you should comment and request flair. Poor top-level comments posted by those without flair will be removed with prejudice. If the commenter goes on to make another poor top-level comment, the commenter may be banned.

I'd like to reiterate that sincere, philosophical, questions are most welcome in this subreddit. You don't need to have formal training to have an interest in philosophy. But it is the answers to such questions that we want to hold to higher standards.