Why Study Philosophy?
There are two things you need to know about studying philosophy: (1) it’s fascinating. (2) In the USA, the average salary of Philosophy graduates is now higher than nearly every other major in the social sciences or humanities (see Payscale.com). The explanation for this practical, economic power is that philosophy doesn’t train you for one profession—it does something more effective for our fluctuating knowledge-economy—it gives you powerful transferrable skills that pay off in a variety of professions (more on these skills and professions below). Back to number 1: In philosophy courses we think deeply about fascinating questions like these:
- What should I do? How should I live? (morality, ethics, political philosophy)
- What exists? (metaphysics)
- What is the relationship between the mind and the world? (philosophy of mind, phenomenology)
- What is knowledge? What is truth? (epistemology)
- What is art? (aesthetics, philosophy of art)
- Are you, like us, always asking—why? In philosophy classes we explore and articulate answers that are based on reason and logic.
Transferable Skills Learned in Philosophy Courses:
- precise conceptual analysis
- logical reasoning
- problem solving and creative thinking
- mental dexterity
- abstract conceptualization
- understanding multiple perspectives
- clarifying divergent frameworks
- quickness in learning new ideas and new modes of thinking
