Fichte's Triad: A Philosophy for Story Structure

This video introduces Fichte's Triad, a philosophical framework for change that can be applied to screenwriting. We'll learn how to use the concepts of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis to craft powerful story structures and character arcs that resonate with your audience.

00:00 -Intro
01:04 - Introduction to Fichte's Triad
02:06 - Thesis
02:17 - Antithesis
02:22 - Synthesis
03:37 - Theme
05:00 - The Structure
05:51 - Act I
06:42 - Act II
09:08 - Act III
10:38 - Notes on plot
11:13 - The cyclic nature of the Triad
11:45 - Outro

Film references:
Spider-Man (2002)
Adaptation (2002)
Past Lives (2023)

Note: Not every story needs to follow this arc to make a great film (especially short-form and experimental films). This is just one way of doing things that seems to make writing a little easier and more enjoyable.

References & Recommendations:
- The philosophy of Fichte's Triad and the Hegelian Dialectic

- Scriptnotes, Ep 403: How to Write a Movie

- Shape of Stories, Kurt Vonnegut

- Why Hegel's Dialectic is NOT thesis, antithesis and synthesis | Close-reading

Find me on the interwebs:

[jeremiahnoar]

More stories need to do this is is the proper way to think about themes and I don't think a lot of people talk about it like this. The one thing I'd add is to make sure your antithesis is as strong thematically as your thesis. If Anna doesn't find happiness in money but instead in nature; consider letting her see some animals in the park losing their habitats at the hands urbanization and let her realize that she may not love money, but if she had much of it, she could use it to help such animals (to start a shelter or something). That way you can actually give James' side a little more weight and a little more validity for why one might care about money. Now you have a seriously dynamic relationship between James' and Anna's relationship.

[jackcollinson]

first draft is to listen to your characters. Second draft is to incorporate theme. This is easily one of the best pieces of writing advice ive ever had

[TerminalSeen-IndieArt]

Dope video! Approaching a screenplay philosophically is much better than just trying yet another “15 beats” structure that doesn’t have a thematic foundation.

[ruthier]

Using the Spider-man movie to explain was such a good choice. I could also imagine it with other movies, so it's definitely a sort of central point. Great work as usual, Sean!

[snoopysnoopysnoopysno]

love this, and using Fichte's triad is broad and more applicable to film than the hegelian dialectic, though this seems more like a combination of the hegelian dialectic and fitche's triad with use of the aufhebung(sublimation and such). very interesting but I think the greatest stories use this in a very authentic way. It is tough to go into a story with intention of a dialectic flow

[mudiagaoneil]

I absolutely enjoyed learning from you. But I was wondering whether you could possibly analyze several successful movies in future? That might increase your viewership. You know, some of us out here, are visual learners, so you might want to keep that in mind!

[dassaintss]

Thanks for this. It definitely provided new perspective on story telling

[beyojr]

Guy you're insanely good...
Jesus 🙆🏾‍♂️🙆🏾‍♂️🔥🔥

[jasperbyrd]

I use this same structure but in 4 acts. Stasis, thesis, antithesis, and synthesis

[skvstheworld_]

Great job Sean, this was really educative.

[dynamicrangeproductions]

You are gonna make me go dive into this philosophy now alright then

[estherrerri]

Helpful stuff, I don't know doodly-squat about writing but this could give more drama to the smut fanfic i'm writing. Thanks sean💚

[benjaminwiner]

Why not just write scenes?

A series of situations that are connected and communicate ideas.

[verae]

fun fact from a philosophy nerd: this triad is what Karl Marx used as a framework for communism

[Alex__Theo]

Make a vid on fnaf and you'll blow up trust