By Angelina Li
The rocking chair creaks as a frail, snowy-haired man puts the back of his hand to his chin, deeply contemplating the woes of society and existence.
A stereotypical philosopher.
When people think of philosophy, they often conjure up images of ancient (or at least grandfatherly) men in prehistoric libraries. The famous philosophers of the past— Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, and more—have built the fundamental foundation of what we consider to be the unique field of study of philosophy.
According to The Philosophy Foundation, the short answer to defining philosophy is as follows: “a way of thinking about certain subjects . . . involv[ing] 4 Rs: responsiveness, reflection, reason and re-evaluation,” with the intention to “deepen understanding” and consequently “improve the quality of all our lives.”
“Isn’t a philosophy degree worthless? Try computer science or something.”
While people relish the works of great philosophers, we often devalue the idea of philosophy as an acceptable and worthwhile major. However, as for any major, there are pros and cons when it comes to tackling this field of study.
Coursework [all information credited to U.S. News & World Report]
Philosophy majors fall under the humanities degree path (an interdisciplinary study of the past and present language, arts, ethics, and thought). Coursework involves scrutinizing the optimal way to persevere in life (such as the mind-body relationship dilemma), publishing their findings, and even learning about mathematical logic, bridging the gap with the STEM field. Philosophy majors encounter the fields of metaphysics (“the fundamental nature of the world”) and value theory (“moral, social, and political philosophy”). Classes involve discussions of challenging questions in order for students to master the art of critical and argumentative reasoning.
In fact, the coursework of a philosophy major heavily relates to many professions due to the “strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing skills” that students will develop. Possible careers that benefit from majoring in philosophy include being a journalist, financial analyst, and paralegal.
Selecting Universities [all information credited to U.S. News & World Report]
Numerous institutions offer philosophy as a major, including the top-ranked National Universities Princeton and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (#2). Williams College and Amherst College, the first and second in the ranking of National Liberal Arts Colleges, respectively, also offer such a major.
However, as for applying to any university or college, it is important to take into account other viable factors, including campus life, weather, and surroundings.
Rewards of a Philosophy Degree [all information credited to U.S. News & World Report]
For some students majoring in philosophy, their end goal lies in their graduate schooling, which often involves standardized tests (ex: GRE, LSAT, and GMAT). Those who have a background in philosophy “tend to outperform others” on such tests.
However, this “outperformance” does not solely appear within testing. In fact, a Wall Street Journal analysis highlighted how those with philosophy majors earn raises and promotions at a faster rate than those with other majors, resulting in doubling their starting salaries.
Moreover, the high level of communication and analytical thinking fostered by philosophy programs results in a greater ability to excel in the workplace because they are able to express their opinions and ideas well. Philosophers truly hone the art of persuasion.
Furthermore, according to philosophy degree recipients themselves, they find their degree to be relevant to the following careers: account executive at public relations or marketing firm, attorney, bioethicist, communications director, marketing director, ontologist, policy analyst, philosophy professor, and research assistant.
Bridging the Gap Between STEM and Humanities
In an ever-STEM-loving world, humanities are often undervalued as a career path despite its evident benefits. Institutions evidently recognize the importance of both, thus bridging the gap through unique program offerings.
For example, the University of Oxford offers an undergraduate program in Computer Science and Philosophy. According to the university’s course description, “If you enjoy mathematical problem-solving, would like to learn about computing and artificial intelligence, but also wider interests in life and the universe, then this degree might be for you!”
Because of the large impact computer systems have in society, including “social, commercial, educational, [and] political,” they raise major philosophical issues, including ethical and social. Thus, studying both computer science and philosophy allow students to understand computer systems scientifically or mathematically while considering the ethical and social aspects of new technology and artificial intelligence.
The two fields of study may seem to be vast polar opposites, but together, both are “intellectually exciting and creative,” combine “analytical and technical knowledge,” and foster excellent “writing and research skills.”
Hence, for those who may not want to choose solely STEM or humanities, such programs as Oxford’s may be the solution.
Conclusion
The rocking chair creaks as the frail, snowy-haired man beckons with his calloused hand to join him in the navigation of life’s deepest questions. Overall, philosophy may not be a top choice for most students, but such major is evidently worthwhile and beneficial to consider.
Works Cited
“Computer Science and Philosophy.” University of Oxford, www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/computer-science-and-philosophy#:~:text=Computer%20Science%20teaches%20you%20how,and%20precisely%2C%20in%20written%20form. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.
Kowarski, Ilana. “What You Can Do With a Philosophy Degree.” U.S. News & World Report, 13 August 2020, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/what-you-can-do-with-a-philosophy-degree. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.
Pincus, Melanie. “What You Need to Know About Becoming a Philosophy Major.” U.S. News & World Report, 5 May 2020, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/philosophy-major-overview. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.
“Salary Increase By Major.” The Wall Street Journal, www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Degrees_that_Pay_you_Back-sort.html. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.
“What is Philosophy?” The Philosophy Foundation, www.philosophy-foundation.org/what-is-philosophy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.
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