Why study Philosophy?
- You have big, deep, or irresistible questions:
- how do I live meaningfully?
- what do we owe to the future?
- why is there something rather than nothing?
- can AI ever become conscious?
- should I believe in something beyond nature?
- how much should government contribute to people’s wellbeing?
- in what ways does one’s social identity matter?
- You put great stock in the clear and incisive expression of your ideas, and you want to help others make the best case for their ideas
- You love debate, and you want to hone your skills of critique and interpretation
- You are engaged in social, cultural, and political issues, and you believe that the advancement of political ideals is crucial to the well-being of our world.
- You have a curiosity about other cultures and historical periods, especially their world-views, thought-systems, and ways of life.
Philosophy is the study of life: for yourself, for your job, for your discovery of knowledge, and for your community. Individuals with training in philosophy are engaged in the world today in a variety of ways. It enhances your imaginative, interpretive, analytical, critical, and communicative capacities. Majors in philosophy acquire intellectual abilities crucial for self-fulfillment, responsible participation in public life, and success in a wide range of careers—including law, business, education, journalism, medicine, and public service.